{"id":155351,"date":"2026-08-24T17:51:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T12:21:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=155351"},"modified":"2026-08-24T17:51:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T12:21:15","slug":"gmr-targets-massive-capacity-boost-at-thses-two-airports-with-2-billion-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/24\/gmr-targets-massive-capacity-boost-at-thses-two-airports-with-2-billion-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"GMR Targets Massive Capacity Boost at Thses Two Airports With $2 Billion Plan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NEW DELHI\u2014<\/strong> GMR Airports <\/a>is preparing to invest up to \u20b919,400 crore ($2 billion) over the next five to seven years to expand and modernize its facilities at New Delhi and Hyderabad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airport operator expects the projects to strengthen capacity as passenger demand rises across India, where IndiGo (6E)<\/a> and Air India (AI) are among the dominant carriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The planned investment will focus on Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi (DEL), and Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad (HYD)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GMR Airports executive director for finance and strategy Saurabh Chawla said the projects reflect the company\u2019s confidence in India\u2019s long-term aviation growth and its decision to concentrate on airport infrastructure rather than entering the airline business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Hyderabad's
Photo: Hyderabad Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Delhi Hyderabad Airport Expansion Plan<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

GMR Airports has allocated about \u20b913,800 crore for Hyderabad and up to \u20b95,600 crore for New Delhi. The investments will be funded through a combination of debt and equity raised by the respective airport ventures rather than directly by GMR Airports, the company\u2019s holding entity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hyderabad project represents the larger share of the planned spending and is designed to support substantial passenger growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the planned upgrades are completed, the airport is expected to handle around 80 million passengers annually, compared with its current capacity of roughly 34 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At New Delhi, GMR is continuing efforts to increase capacity and modernize airport infrastructure as international and domestic traffic expands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company has also already converted Pier C at Terminal 3 from domestic to international operations, raising international terminal capacity to about 32 million passengers, Bloomberg<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"GMR
Photo: GMR Delhi International Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

India Aviation Growth Outlook Strengthens Further<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

GMR\u2019s expansion comes as India prepares for a major increase in air travel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Government projections have indicated that passenger traffic could rise six-fold to approximately 1.1 billion passengers by 2040, creating significant pressure on airports to expand terminals, runways and supporting infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

India\u2019s commercial aircraft fleet is also expected to grow substantially over the same period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Government estimates have projected a requirement for more than 2,350 aircraft by 2040, compared with around 400 aircraft in the earlier baseline used for the long-term aviation outlook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GMR currently operates a large airport portfolio in India and has also expanded its presence internationally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company recently took over operations at Nagpur Airport, where it has separately announced a phased modernization strategy aimed at increasing long-term passenger capacity and developing cargo and aviation-related infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"GMR
Photo: Hyderabad Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

GMR Growth Strategy Takes Shape<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Delhi and Hyderabad projects could form only part of GMR\u2019s broader airport expansion strategy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chawla said investment plans for Nagpur<\/a> are under discussion, while the company also intends to participate in future airport privatization opportunities offered by the Indian government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GMR Airports has indicated that it does not plan to enter the airline sector, even if India changes regulations to allow airport operators to own or operate airlines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, the group intends to remain focused on airports and related businesses such as aircraft maintenance, commercial development and real estate around aviation facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The strategy contrasts with the wider ambitions of some major Indian airport groups, including Adani Airports, which has outlined a much larger investment program across its airport network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For GMR, the priority remains expanding airport capacity and preparing its facilities for the expected rise in Indian air travel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Delhi Airport to Expand Capacity to 125 Million Passengers by 2032<\/a><\/blockquote>