Adani Group has unveiled an ambitious plan to shape India’s aviation landscape, with a $15 billion investment to expand and modernise its airport network by 2030.
As one of the largest private airport operators, Adani Group currently manages key airports including Mumbai, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Jaipur, Thiruvanthapuram and Mangaluru. This investment marks a strong push to meet India’s accelerating travel demand.
This plan involves adding terminals, taxiways, and a new runway at Navi Mumbai Airport, which is scheduled to open on 25 December. According to the reports, about 70% of the funding will come from debt raised over five years. The remaining funding will be considered in equity.
The number of passengers is expected to more than double to 300 million by 2030. With this investment, Adani is positioning itself as a key contributor to infrastructure.
This expansion is to boost total passenger capacity by more than 60%, excluding 20 million at Navi Mumbai and 11 million at Guwahati, which open this month.
India is now focusing on the privatisation of airports, which already began in 2006, with GRM Airports Ltd and GVK Power & Infrastructure Ltd. acquiring New Delhi and Mumbai airports.
Further, the government plans to privatise 11 more airports, bundling loss-making facilities with profitable ones. Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. is expected to lead the bid.Â
One more airport is expected to be built in the capital city of India to meet the rising demand. In comparison, India is targeting 400 airports nationwide by 2047, from 160 now.
As a developing country, India is expanding across almost all sectors; airport capacity is one example, as is British Airways’ expansion.Â
