GMR Infra to shore up non-aero revenues

GMR Infrastructure is looking at capitalising nearly 5,500 acre to shore up its non-aero related revenues at its greenfield airport project  in Shamshabad near Hyderabad.

S K Kulkarni, associate general manager of GMR Infrastructure, said: "We believe the large area of this airport site will provide us with sufficient room to expand our airport and related facilities over the longer term including hotels, commercial venues like retail malls and business parks."

"Additionally, the location of the Hyderabad airport makes it well positioned to act as a potential hub for routes not only in south east Asia but  also in West Asia," he added.

Presently, Kochi airport, a private airport in India, is earning $13.1 per person while the global average is $23 per person. "Fraport AG, our partner, has achieved above $50 per person. This is likely to rub on us to achieve more non-aero revenues to make the private airport viable in a short time," Kulkarni said.