5 days ago
GMR Group Eyes Overseas Airport Growth After Bhogapuram Launch
GMR Group runs airports and businesses connected to airports.
It recently began operating the Bhogapuram airport in Andhra Pradesh.
The company wants to look for more airport projects in several regions outside India.
These regions include West Asia, Central Asia, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia.
GMR also wants to expand businesses such as duty-free shops, cargo, retail and food outlets.
Its Indian airports carried 114.6 million passengers during 2025-26.
GMR Airports reported a profit of Rs 472 crore that year.
The chairman said aviation has strong long-term potential but warned that global conditions are uncertain.
GMR Group plans to explore airport and related-business opportunities across West Asia, Central Asia, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia.
GMR Airports operates six airports in India, including Delhi and Hyderabad, and an airport in Indonesia, while developing one in Greece.
The group’s Bhogapuram airport in Andhra Pradesh began operations on August 17.
GMR’s Indian airports handled 114.6 million passengers in 2025-26, representing 25.6% of domestic and 33.9% of international traffic.
GMR Airports reported a consolidated profit after tax of Rs 472 crore in 2025-26, compared with a loss the previous year.
- Who
- GMR Group, GMR Airports and Chairman G M Rao.
- What
- GMR plans to pursue overseas airport concessions and expand airport-related businesses, including Operations & Maintenance contracts.
- Where
- The potential markets are West Asia, Central Asia, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia; GMR already operates airports in India and Indonesia and is developing one in Greece.
- When
- The plans were outlined in GMR’s 2025-26 annual report; Bhogapuram airport began operations on August 17.
- Why
- GMR cited rising incomes, expanding tourism, broader aviation infrastructure and government initiatives as drivers of long-term aviation growth.
Key facts
- Indian airport passengers
- 114.6 million in 2025-26
- Domestic traffic share
- Approximately 25.6% of India’s domestic traffic
- International traffic share
- Approximately 33.9% of India’s international traffic
- 2025-26 profit after tax
- Rs 472 crore, compared with a loss in the previous year
- Bhogapuram airport
- Began operations on August 17 in Andhra Pradesh
- Existing international presence
- An airport in Indonesia and an airport under development in Greece
- Airport-adjacent businesses
- Duty free, cargo, retail, food and beverage, and Operations & Maintenance contracts
Quotes
G M Rao
Chairman of GMR Group
“Looking ahead, we will continue to pursue new airport concession opportunities while also expanding our presence in asset-light portfolio focused on Operations & Maintenance contracts and airport adjacent businesses, enabling us to drive sustainable growth while maintaining financial discipline.”
thehansindia.com
telegraphindia.com
“These regions offer significant opportunities for airports and adjacent businesses. While we explore such opportunities, we recognise that we live in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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