GMR Projects 50 Mn Passengers at Hyderabad Airport by FY31, Plans ₹370 Cr Cargo Expansion.

GMR Group, the operator of Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad, anticipates passenger traffic to surge to 50 million annually by FY31, up from 29 million in FY25.

According to Pradeep Panicker, CEO of GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL), the company is investing ₹370 crore to expand its existing cargo terminal and build a new facility, increasing cargo capacity to nearly 4 lakh tonnes per year.

"We are among the fastest-growing metro airports in the country. We handled 25 million passengers in FY24 and expect to close FY25 at 29 million. Based on our projections, we could reach 50 million by 2031," Panicker said.

The airport, originally built in 2008 with a capacity of 12 million passengers, has gradually expanded to accommodate 40 million. Last year, RGIA added 3.6 million passengers, a growth milestone achieved by only one other Indian airport—Delhi. A team of experts is currently exploring ways to increase passenger capacity without major capital expenditure while enhancing efficiency and traveler experience.

The airport’s runway has a declared capacity of 42 aircraft movements per hour and currently handles 34–35 movements. GHIAL, which recorded over ₹2,700 crore in operational revenue last fiscal, is expected to see over 10% revenue growth this year, driven by sustained passenger traffic growth.

GHIAL generates 65–70% of its revenue from aeronautical operations. In the cargo segment, the airport expects to handle 1.8 lakh tonnes this fiscal, a 20% increase from last year, with international shipments contributing the majority.

Panicker attributed the rise in international cargo to disruptions in global trade caused by the Red Sea conflict, which impacts nearly 30% of the world’s container traffic. The ₹370 crore cargo expansion includes ₹215 crore for upgrading the existing terminal and ₹155 crore for the new facility. The new terminal is set to be completed by May and operational by June or July, while expansion of the existing terminal has just begun.

Additionally, the GMR School of Aviation is witnessing strong growth, with 30–40% of its graduates being absorbed within the group. GHIAL is a joint venture with GMR Group holding 74%, while the Airports Authority of India and the Telangana government each own 13%.

ET