Adani to invest ₹1 lakh crore in airports; eyes aggressive bids in next privatisation round

By Admin

20 Dec, 2025

The Adani Group is preparing for a major expansion in India’s aviation infrastructure, announcing plans to invest ₹1 lakh crore in its airports business over the next five years. The investment underscores the conglomerate’s strong confidence in the long-term growth of India’s aviation sector, which is projected to expand at an annual rate of 15–16% for the next decade or more.

Speaking ahead of the commencement of commercial operations at Navi Mumbai International Airport, Jeet Adani, Director of Adani Airports, said the group is firmly bullish on aviation and intends to play a leading role in shaping the sector’s future. According to him, the scale of opportunity in India remains significant, driven by low per-capita air travel compared to global peers such as China.

A landmark addition: Navi Mumbai International Airport

Navi Mumbai International Airport will soon become the latest addition to the Adani Group’s rapidly expanding airport portfolio. Developed by Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd (NMIAL), in which the Adani Group holds a 74% stake, the airport is scheduled to begin commercial operations on December 25.

Built at an initial cost of ₹19,650 crore, the first phase of the airport will have the capacity to handle 20 million passengers annually. Over time, this capacity is expected to scale up to nearly 90 million passengers, making it one of India’s largest aviation hubs. The project is expected to significantly ease congestion at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, which has been supply-constrained since 2016.

Jeet Adani described the commissioning of Navi Mumbai International Airport as a landmark moment for Indian aviation, noting that the asset still has four times growth potential ahead. The airport is expected to play a crucial role in supporting long-term passenger and cargo growth in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Expanding a nationwide airport portfolio

With the addition of Navi Mumbai, the Adani Group’s airport network will include eight airports across India. Besides the two Mumbai airports, the group operates airports at Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram, Jaipur, and Mangaluru. This portfolio spans both metro and regional airports, giving the group a strong footprint across key domestic aviation markets.

In the previous round of airport privatisation in 2019, Adani Group emerged as the biggest winner, securing six airports through the public-private partnership model. It further strengthened its position in 2021 by acquiring Mumbai Airport from the GVK Group.

Aggressive stance on upcoming privatisations

The group has made it clear that it intends to bid aggressively in the next round of airport privatisations. The Civil Aviation Ministry has identified 11 airports, including several smaller ones, for operation under the public-private partnership model. Additionally, the National Monetisation Pipeline envisages leasing 25 Airports Authority of India-operated airports between 2022 and 2025.

Jeet Adani stated that the group would be “100% very aggressive” in bidding for all 11 airports in the upcoming round, reaffirming its belief in the long-term fundamentals of the aviation industry.

India’s aviation growth runway

According to Adani Group leadership, India’s aviation sector including both airports and airlines has the potential to sustain mid-teens growth for the next 10 to 15 years. Low air travel penetration and rising urbanisation are expected to fuel this expansion.

Even reaching air travel levels comparable to China would require a multi-fold increase in aviation infrastructure across cities, creating a long and sustainable growth runway. The group believes current trends strongly support this growth outlook.

Diversification beyond core airport operations

Through its airport arm, Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL), the group has become India’s largest airport infrastructure operator. AAHL currently accounts for approximately 23% of passenger movements and about 33% of cargo traffic nationwide.

Alongside capacity expansion at existing airports, the group is scaling up ancillary and non-aeronautical revenue streams, including retail, city-side development, and integrated airport services. AAHL has also separated its airport infrastructure business from its aircraft services vertical, which includes potential dual-use capabilities for both civilian and defence purposes.

While investments in Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) and Flight Simulation Training Centres (FSTC) are still under evaluation, the group has indicated its intention to deepen expertise and capabilities in these areas as part of a longer-term strategy.

A defining phase for Indian aviation

The Adani Group’s ₹1 lakh crore investment plan comes at a pivotal time for India’s aviation sector. As passenger demand accelerates and infrastructure capacity struggles to keep pace, large-scale private investments are becoming critical.

With Navi Mumbai International Airport coming online and aggressive participation expected in future privatisations, the Adani Group is positioning itself as a central player in India’s aviation growth story one that could reshape airport infrastructure, connectivity, and passenger experience for decades to come.