Maintenance provider Air Works India Engineering soft-launched its new Aircraft Appearance Division in Mumbai on January 30. The cabin interiors facility has already been approved by India’s civil aviation authority and next year is expected to get certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency next year, according to assistant marketing vice president Dhiraj Chhabra.

Last year, Air Works made a strategic investment in Dubai-based private aviation specialist, Empire Aviation Group--a move it said would help Air Works increase its footprint in the Middle East and provide world class aircraft management services to its customers in India. “Empire has a great business model, a very experienced management team and a strong reputation within the regional and international industry,” said Air Works managing director Vivek Gour. “We are confident that we can build a strong franchise in the emerging aviation markets of India and the Middle East.” The company is preparing to open a new office in Bangalore specifically to handle the work generated by Empire Aviation.

Empire is preparing to take delivery of two new large business jets on behalf of clients—one this year and the other by the end of March 2014. The company will handle all technical aspects of the green aircraft deliveries, as well as specifying interior completion plans. Air Work’s new Aircraft Appearance Division is already conducting tasks such as carpet replacement, veneer restoration and gold plating on other aircraft.