Adani Airports Secures $750 Million from International Banks
Adani Airports Holdings Ltd Raises Funds for Expansion
Adani Airports Holdings Ltd (AAHL), India’s largest private airport operator, has successfully raised $750 million through external commercial borrowings from a consortium of international banks. The lenders included First Abu Dhabi Bank, Barclays PLC, and Standard Chartered Bank.
Strategic Use of Funds
The funds will be utilized to:
- Refinance existing debt
- Invest in infrastructure upgrades and capacity expansion across its six airports: Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Jaipur, Guwahati, and Thiruvananthapuram
- Scale non-aeronautical businesses, including Retail, F&B, duty-free, and services across the airport network
Future Growth Plans
AAHL aims to increase its passenger capacity to 300 million per annum by 2040, leveraging technology for seamless operations and prioritizing sustainability and community engagement. The company served around 94 million passengers in the last financial year and has a current capacity of over 110 million passengers.
Expansion and New Projects
The upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport will be operational shortly, adding over 20 million passengers in the first phase, with a potential extension to 90 million later. This new airport will significantly boost the Mumbai region’s aviation infrastructure.
Market Reaction and Future Developments
The stock of parent firm Adani Enterprises recorded a marginal gain of 0.34 percent at Rs 2,479.2 on NSE. AAHL is also considering bidding for ground handling services at Mumbai and Ahmedabad airports, aligning with its strategy to branch into allied sectors.
“The trust placed in us by leading global financial institutions underscores the long-term value and potential of India’s aviation infrastructure,” said Arun Bansal, CEO of AAHL.
Conclusion
The successful fundraising by AAHL highlights the confidence of international lenders in India’s aviation sector. With plans for expansion and growth, AAHL is poised to play a significant role in shaping the country’s airport infrastructure.
