Hyderabad: GMR Hyderabad International Airport, India’s first Greenfield airport according to the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, celebrates its 13th anniversary on 23 March.
In a record time of 31 months with an initial capacity of 12 million passengers per year (MPPA) and 1,50,000 MT of cargo handling capacity per year, it was also the first airport for the GMR group to enter the aviation segment. as an airport developer.
To meet the passenger demand, the airport is currently in an expansion mode that will enable the airport to increase its capacity over a period to accommodate more than 34 MPPA.
The airport is managed by a joint venture promoted by the GMR group (63 per cent), in partnership with the Indian Airport Authority (13 per cent), the Telangana government (13 per cent) and the Malaysian airport industry Berhad (11 per cent). ). ).
According to the airport operator, it has introduced a number of first technological innovations for the airport sector in the country, including the first ever integrated and centralized airport operations center (AOCC) and a variety of modern passenger information. systems and technological initiatives.
Over the past 13 years, it has achieved many landmarks. In 2009, it commissioned India’s first and only aviation park at an airport. India’s first and only dedicated Pharma Zone was commissioned in 2010 by GMR Hyderabad Air Cargo.
In 2012, GMR Aero Technic, a world-class third-party MRO, was inaugurated. During the year, the GMR Aviation Academy at Hyderabad Airport becomes an IATA-authorized training center.
The Schulich Business School India campus was inaugurated at the airport in 2014. The following year, a 5 MW solar power plant was commissioned, which reduced the airport’s heat consumption. This green energy supplies about 15 percent of the airport’s total electricity demand.
In the same year, it became the first airport in India to offer an end-to-end presentation facility for all domestic flights, offering passengers a seamless and completely paperless experience. Today, all domestic services from Hyderabad International Airport are on the e-boarding system, making Hyderabad the only airport in the country that offers 100 percent ‘stamp-free’ travel to its domestic passengers.
In 2016, it became the only airport in India to handle the An-225, the largest aircraft in the world. The following year, it offered ‘Express Security Check’ facility for passengers traveling with hand luggage only, the first and only airport in the country to do so.
In October 2018, international operations began at the Interim International Departures Terminal (IIDT). IIDT has an exclusive venue to handle entry, security, immigration and customs processes for departing international passengers, and it is connected to the main passenger terminal building.
On 21 December 2018, Hyderabad Airport handled more than 70,000 passengers in one day, the highest since its inception. On December 30, 2018, it also handled 540 air traffic movements (ATMs), which in turn were the highest ATMs established since the airport. In the same month, Hyderabad International Airport handled 19.3 lakh passengers, the highest footfall in any month since its inception.
In 2019, DGCA allowed GHIAL to use secondary runway during the night. In the same year, it became the first airport of India to introduce a cloud-based central irrigation control system.
Hyderabad Airport offers a modern, integrated cargo facility with 150,000 MT cargo handling capacity per year. An important highlight in Hyderabad Airport Cargo facility is the unique ‘Pharma Zone’.
The cargo terminal of Hyderabad Airport is certified with the Good Storage and Distribution Practices (WHO-GSDP) of the World Health Organization.
GHAC recently inaugurated a large multi-ULD Cool Dolly, making it one of India’s largest centers for handling temperature sensitive cargo down to minus 20 degrees Celsius.
Hyderabad Airport is also developing an International Express Cargo division as an additional offering for trade in Hyderabad.
The airport offers the largest airport city in India. About 1,500 hectares are devoted to the development of airport city
Hyderabad Airport City offers theme-based, anchor-led development zones that include major ports and institutions, viz. Business Port, Health Port, Edu Port, Fun Port, Logistics Park and Aerospace Park.
Source: The Siasat Daily