Nagpur Airport Enters GMR Portfolio
GMR Airports, which already operates several key airports across India, has added another airport to its portfolio. Nagpur Airport has now officially become part of the GMR Airports portfolio. The company formally took over the management of the airport on June 25. Under a 30-year concession agreement, GMR Airports will operate Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur. As part of the agreement, the company will modernize the airport's infrastructure and develop it to handle up to 30 million passengers annually. With the addition of Nagpur Airport, GMR Airports now has one of the most diversified airport portfolios in India, comprising major gateway airports, fast-growing regional airports, and international airports overseas. In a company statement, GMR said this addition further demonstrates its expertise in transforming airports into catalysts for regional development and economic growth.
Currently, GMR Aero has a portfolio of nine airports under management and development. The company operates airports in Delhi, Hyderabad, Goa (Mopa), Nagpur, Bidar, and Medan in Indonesia. It also provides technical services to Mactan-Cebu International Airport in the Philippines. In addition, GMR is developing two greenfield airports at Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh and Crete in Greece. Strategically located at the geographical center of India, Nagpur has the potential to emerge as a major aviation, logistics, and cargo hub. Under the 30-year concession agreement, GMR Nagpur International Airport Limited will undertake a phased modernization and expansion programme. The project includes the construction of a modern integrated terminal, expansion of airside infrastructure, enhanced cargo facilities, adoption of digital technologies, and sustainability-driven initiatives. These developments are aimed at establishing Nagpur as the hub of a hub-and-spoke aviation network for Central India.
As stated by Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu, Nagpur's geographical advantage provides it with the potential to develop into both a domestic and international transfer hub. This would improve nationwide connectivity while boosting cargo transportation, logistics, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services, trade, and industrial development. Speaking on the occasion, GMR Airports Chairman G.B.S. Raju said, "Taking over the operations of Nagpur Airport marks an important milestone in our journey to transform it into a world-class aviation hub. Leveraging the experience and strategic vision of GMR Airports Limited, we will develop Nagpur Airport in a phased manner. In the first phase, we will expand the passenger terminal to serve three million passengers annually, providing a more convenient and seamless travel experience.
In the subsequent phases, we will develop infrastructure to handle 30 million passengers per year and establish comprehensive airside infrastructure, including a new Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower. Additionally, we will build a state-of-the-art cargo facility with an annual handling capacity of 20,000 metric tonnes, positioning Nagpur as a key logistics hub for Central India. All these development initiatives are aligned with India's vision of strengthening regional connectivity, accelerating economic growth, and maintaining the highest standards of sustainability and operational excellence." The modernization of Nagpur Airport is expected to significantly strengthen both domestic and international connectivity while creating greater opportunities for tourism, investment, and direct as well as indirect employment. The airport is also expected to play a vital role in transforming the region into a multi-modal logistics and industrial hub.
