Adani Airports Holdings Ltd (AAHL), India’s premier private airport operator and a vital subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited, has successfully secured a substantial USD 750 million in External Commercial Borrowings (ECB).
This significant funding, raised from a consortium of leading international banks including First Abu Dhabi Bank, Barclays PLC, and Standard Chartered Bank, marks a pivotal moment for India’s burgeoning aviation sector. The capital infusion is strategically earmarked for a multi-pronged approach: refinancing existing debt, undertaking crucial infrastructure upgrades, and expanding capacity across AAHL’s portfolio of six operational airports. This comprehensive financial manoeuvre underscores a robust commitment to enhancing India’s air travel infrastructure, aligning with the nation’s vision for sustainable, efficient, and interconnected urban hubs.
The proceeds from this global funding will directly bolster AAHL’s strategic objectives across its six key airports: Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Jaipur, Guwahati, and Thiruvananthapuram. Beyond the physical expansion of terminals and runways, a significant portion of the investment will be directed towards scaling non-aeronautical businesses. This includes enhancing retail offerings, food and beverage services, duty-free outlets, and a myriad of other passenger amenities across the entire airport network. This holistic approach aims to elevate the overall passenger experience, making air travel not just about reaching a destination but enjoying the journey itself, a key aspect of building gender-neutral and equitable access to world-class facilities.
AAHL’s impressive trajectory is evident in its recent performance, having served a staggering 94 million passengers in the fiscal year 2024-25, leveraging an overall existing capacity of 110 million passengers. Looking ahead, the company has articulated an ambitious roadmap: to triple its passenger handling capacity to a remarkable 300 million passengers per annum by 2040 through phased development. This long-term vision highlights a profound belief in India’s aviation growth story, driven by an expanding middle class and increasing travel propensity.
A critical component of this expansion roadmap is the much-anticipated Navi Mumbai International Airport, which is expected to commence operations shortly. This greenfield airport, situated near Mumbai, is poised to add an initial capacity of 20 million passengers in its first phase, with plans for a phased expansion up to 90 million annually. This significant addition will substantially boost the Mumbai region’s aviation infrastructure, easing pressure on the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and catering to the ever-growing demand for air travel in India’s financial capital. The development of such large-scale greenfield projects, with a focus on integrating modern, sustainable design principles, contributes significantly to building eco-friendly cities.
Arun Bansal, CEO of AAHL, articulated the significance of this financial backing, stating, “The trust placed in us by leading global financial institutions underscores the long-term value and potential of India’s aviation infrastructure.” He further emphasised AAHL’s commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences through technological leverage for seamless operations, while unequivocally prioritising sustainability and community engagement across its diverse airport network. Bansal underscored AAHL’s commitment to being “the Gateway to Goodness,” striving to deliver customer-centric solutions and establishing world-class airport infrastructure that sets global benchmarks in both service excellence and environmental responsibility.
Adani Airports Holdings Ltd, incorporated in 2019 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Ltd, has rapidly ascended to become India’s largest airport infrastructure company. Its maiden venture into the airports sector involved emerging as the highest bidder for the operation, management, and development of the aforementioned six airports, securing concession agreements with the Airports Authority of India. With eight airports under its management and development portfolio, including its controlling stake in Mumbai International Airport Ltd and by extension, Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd, AAHL currently commands a significant market share, accounting for 23% of India’s passenger footfalls and over 29% of the nation’s air cargo traffic. This strategic funding will undoubtedly fuel its continued growth, solidify its market leadership, and play a crucial role in shaping the future of aviation in India.
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