Anurag Mishra is general manager (architecture) at the Airports Authority of India (AAI). He has over three decades of experience with AAI, dedicated to planning, designing and developing airport infrastructure across India. He began his career with smaller regional airports and has since gone on to lead complex, large-scale projects across the southern and western regions of the country. His responsibilities span the full life cycle of airport development, overseeing large-scale infrastructure planning, terminal design and master planning, comprising both landside passenger experience and critical airside operations. He also plays a key role in project monitoring, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and safety and quality standards.
As per Anurag Mishra, “The Indian aviation sector is at an extraordinary inflection point, bringing both exciting prospects and serious challenges. Infrastructure must keep up with the pace of passenger growth without compromising on safety or passenger experience. While land acquisition, environmental clearances and integrating airports with multimodal transport networks remain persistent challenges, the prospects are equally compelling. My immediate targets include ensuring that projects are delivered on schedule and that they incorporate future-ready design principles.”
He also adds, “The future of Indian airport infrastructure will be defined by converging trends, including sustainability becoming a design mandate and the adoption of smart airport technologies. The public-private partnership model will deepen, bringing in global expertise and capital for faster execution. Regional airports will also receive greater attention.”
He believes his principal strength lies in his holistic approach to airport development, viewing it as infrastructure designed to serve communities for decades. His work across diverse geographies in southern and western India has deepened his appreciation of how local context shapes design decisions, while his certification as an International Airport Professional (IAP) has enriched his perspective through exposure to global best practices. He believes in a collaborative management style grounded in clarity of purpose. His most memorable assignments include the development of greenfield and upgraded airports in Tier II and Tier III cities, standing transformative for entire communities. He holds a degree in architecture, has completed specialised training in aviation infrastructure, the Airport Management Professional Accreditation Program, and the IAP certification. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, travelling and spending time in nature.