Hyderabad airport eyes 50 million passengers by FY31, Rs 370 crore investment to boost cargo expansion: GMR

GMR Group, the operator of Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad, is eyeing a significant rise in passenger traffic, projecting 50 million annually by FY31, up from the current 29 million in FY25.  

Pradeep Panicker, CEO of GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL), said the company is investing Rs 370 crore to expand its existing cargo terminal and set up a new one, boosting cargo capacity to nearly 4 lakh tons annually.  

“We are the fastest growing metro airports in the country. We did 25 million (passengers) in 2024 (ended March). This year, March ended 25, we should close at 29 million. As per the projections we have done, we could be hitting close to 50 million by 2031,” Panicker told PTI.

The airport, originally built in 2008 with a capacity of 12 million passengers, has already expanded infrastructure to handle 40 million passengers. In 2023, it added 3.6 million passengers over the previous year, a feat matched only by Delhi airport.  

GHIAL is also exploring ways to enhance passenger handling capacity without significant capital expenditure while improving overall efficiency. The airport’s runway, with a declared capacity of 42 aircraft movements per hour, currently handles 34 to 35 movements.  

On the financial front, GHIAL posted consolidated operational revenues of over Rs 2,700 crore last fiscal and expects over 10 per cent growth this year, driven by rising passenger traffic. Aeronautical operations contribute 65 to 70 per cent of the company's standalone revenue.  

In cargo services, GHIAL expects to handle 1.8 lakh tons this fiscal, reflecting a 20 per cent increase from last year, with international shipments driving the surge. Panicker attributed this rise partly to the ongoing Red Sea conflict, which has disrupted 30 per cent of global container traffic. 

“I think for the expansion of the existing (cargo) terminal, it will be around Rs 215 crore and for the new terminal, it should be Rs 155 crore approximately. So, total Rs 370 odd crores,” he said.

Panicker also highlighted the success of the GMR School of Aviation, noting that 30 to 40 per cent of its graduates are absorbed by the group itself.