The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, Telangana, has emerged as a leading aviation gateway, combining world-class amenities with operational excellence and seamless connectivity. Among the busiest airports in the country, it continues to set benchmarks in passenger experience and service quality while standing at the forefront in leveraging cutting-edge technology. In an interview with Indian Infrastructure, Kadhir Kadhiravan, Chief Executive Officer, GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited, highlighted the key milestones achieved by the airport, notable technology and sustainability initiatives, and the future focus areas. Edited excerpts…
What are the key trends shaping airport development and operations in India? What were the key operational milestones achieved by your airport in the past year?
Hyderabad airport reflects many of the trends shaping the next phase of India’s aviation growth – sustained traffic growth, digitalisation, operational resilience, sustainability and stronger connectivity. India’s aviation sector continues to demonstrate strong underlying demand, supported by infrastructure expansion and improving connectivity, even as the industry navigates fleet constraints, regulatory changes and geopolitical disruptions. The focus is increasingly moving beyond capacity creation towards airports that are smarter, more efficient, sustainable and capable of supporting wider economic growth.
At Hyderabad, this growth translated into a record year. In FY 2025-26, Hyderabad airport handled its highest-ever annual passenger traffic of 30.5 million, along with record aircraft movements. The airport also continued to strengthen its role as a cargo gateway, expanding infrastructure and cold chain capabilities to support pharmaceuticals, electronics, e-commerce, perishables and engineering goods. Technology continues to be a defining part of Hyderabad airport’s operating philosophy. The airport has a strong track record of being an early adopter of technologies that have subsequently shaped the Indian airport ecosystem. Hyderabad airport further advanced its digital capabilities during FY 2025-26 through virtual information kiosks, interactive terminal maps, artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled assistance through GIA, self-bag drop, DigiYatra, express security check and automatic tray retrieval systems. These initiatives reflect a broader shift towards technology-enabled operations that can improve efficiency, reduce friction and provide a more seamless passenger journey. Looking ahead, the opportunity is to build on this foundation and position Hyderabad as a stronger global connectivity gateway, supported by international airline partnerships, hub-and-spoke operations, cargo growth, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), and airport-led economic development. The objective is to ensure that growth in traffic and infrastructure is matched by equally strong operating capabilities.
How are technology interventions assisting in enhancing operational efficiency, security and passenger facilitation?
Hyderabad airport has consistently used technology to make airport operations safer, smarter and more efficient, and is now taking this approach from individual digital interventions towards integrated, predictive and data-led airport management. Across India, biometrics, AI, internet of things (IoT), self-service systems and advanced analytics are transforming passenger processing and airport operations by reducing manual touchpoints, improving processing speeds and enabling better coordination between stakeholders. Hyderabad airport has been at the forefront of this evolution, having introduced several technologies as firsts in the Indian airport sector. These include the country’s first integrated airport operations control centre (AOCC), the first end-to-end e-boarding solution for domestic passengers and the first face recognition trials under the DigiYatra initiative. Its IoT-enabled smart baggage trolley system was also the first airport deployment of its kind in India, providing real-time visibility and predictive planning of trolley availability.
The next generation of evolution at the airport is the implementation of the airport predictive operations centre (APOC), an AI-enabled digital twin platform and the first of its kind in India to undertake comprehensive end-to-end implementation, integration and enterprise deployment. APOC integrates around 40 IT and operational technology systems to provide real-time situational awareness, strengthen predictive decision-making and support a more proactive, data-driven approach to airport management. The next phase is about taking this intelligence deeper into airport operations through unified total airside management. The AI-enabled platform is designed to provide a single real-time view of aircraft, vehicles, ground support equipment (GSE) and turnaround activities, helping stakeholders make faster decisions, improve resource utilisation, strengthen airside safety and support better on-time performance. This is complemented by an AI-powered, sensor-driven traffic management platform and technologies such as Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM), digital airside tracking, DigiYatra, express security check, self-baggage drop and automatic tray retrieval systems. The larger objective is to move from reactive airport management to predictive operations, where data connects people, assets and systems and enables the airport to anticipate operational requirements.
What initiatives are being taken to reduce emissions, improve resource efficiency and build climate-resilient infrastructure?
Hyderabad airport has treated sustainability as an integral part of airport development from the outset, with technology playing an important role in improving resource efficiency and reducing operational emissions. The focus currently is on renewable energy, electrification, energy efficiency, water stewardship and lower-emission aircraft and ground operations, while preparing the infrastructure for the next phase of decarbonisation. The airport has a strong track record of pioneering sustainable technology. Hyderabad airport was the first airport in India to introduce a cloud-based central irrigation control system, using real-time monitoring and weather and soil moisture data to regulate irrigation precisely. The system has enabled water savings of up to 35 per cent compared with conventional irrigation. The airport was also the first in South India and only the second in India to replace its entire taxiway edge lighting with energy-efficient LED lighting.
Hyderabad airport is powered by 100 per cent green electricity through on-site solar generation and green power procurement from the grid. It has expanded electric GSE, commissioned electric vehicle charging stations on the airside, developed a biodiesel filling station at the public transportation centre, and continued energy-efficiency improvements across HVAC and lighting systems. Fixed electrical ground power units, pre-conditioned air systems, A-CDM and single-engine taxiing are also being used to reduce aircraft-related emissions. The airport’s renewable energy base includes a 10 MW solar power plant spread across 45 acres with more than 30,000 solar panels, supporting a significant share of the passenger terminal’s energy requirements. The airport is also using battery-operated GSE and other technology-led interventions to reduce emissions from ground operations. Resource efficiency extends to water and waste management, with Hyderabad airport operating under a zero liquid discharge model, recycling wastewater and expanding rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge. Organic waste converters support circular waste management, while single-use plastics have been eliminated across the airport.
Going forward, the focus will be on increasing renewable energy adoption, preparing infrastructure for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), accelerating electrification and using smart digital tools to reduce operational emissions. The objective is to ensure that future growth is supported by infrastructure that is not only larger, but also more efficient, resilient and environmentally responsible.
Going forward, what do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges for airport operators?
For Hyderabad airport, the biggest opportunity is to strengthen its position as a global connectivity gateway and build a broader aviation ecosystem around that role. This includes expanding international airline partnerships, enabling stronger hub-and-spoke operations, growing cargo- and aviation-related infrastructure and developing airport-led economic ecosystems that contribute to regional growth and competitiveness. Hyderabad’s opportunity extends beyond adding routes. There is potential to strengthen connectivity across Southeast Asia, Europe, Central Asia and other underserved long-haul markets, while deepening domestic connectivity and developing complementary activities such as MRO, cargo and Aerocity-led developments. The airport’s economic catchment, central location and future integrated metro connectivity can further support this evolution.
The challenge is ensuring that growth does not come at the expense of resilience or service quality. Airport operators must navigate geopolitical uncertainty, airline fleet deployment and supply-side constraints, evolving regulatory requirements and rising sustainability expectations, while expanding infrastructure ahead of demand. For Hyderabad, this makes proactive capacity planning and operational excellence critical. Master planning for a new terminal and additional runway is already under way, while technology, automation and process simplification will continue to improve productivity. Hyderabad’s track record of pioneering airport technology ranging from its first-in-India digital and automation initiatives to its latest predictive operations platforms provides a strong foundation for managing this next phase of growth.
What are your focus areas and targets for 2026-27?
For Hyderabad airport, 2026-27 will be focused on planning for our building capacity ahead of growth while continuing to raise the bar on operational performance, connectivity, digitalisation and sustainability. With passenger traffic reaching a record 30.5 million in FY 2025-26, the priority is to ensure that infrastructure and operating capabilities evolve in step with demand. Capacity expansion will remain a key focus. Operationally, we will remain focused on maintaining strong on-time performance, keeping departure baggage mishandling low, and conducting continuous service audits and staff training to sustain the standards recognised through the Skytrax award. Connectivity will be another priority. Attracting new airline partners, supporting priority routes, growing transfer traffic and expanding the airport’s cargo, aviation infrastructure and wider commercial ecosystem will remain central to this effort. Digital transformation will continue through expanded biometrics, AI-enabled passenger assistance, smart wayfinding and greater airside automation. This builds on Hyderabad airport’s long-standing record of technology leadership. Sustainability will progress through greater energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, SAF readiness and continued progress towards net zero targets.
Ultimately, the focus is on ensuring that every investment – in infrastructure, technology, connectivity and sustainability – translates into greater productivity, stronger resilience and long-term value for Hyderabad airport and the region it serves.
