Adani's $15 Billion Airport Push

The Adani Group wants to invest $15 billion over the next five years to considerably enhance passenger capacity at its airports to 200 million annually by 2030, establishing itself at the forefront of India's aviation expansion. This ambitious development is in line with predictions that, due to growing middle-class demand and infrastructure push, India's air passenger traffic will more than double to 300 million annually by 2030. ​

Key Expansion Projects

The focal point is the Navi Mumbai International Airport, which is scheduled to open on December 25, 2025. To accommodate its initial capacity of 20 million passengers (not included in the $15 billion total), new terminals, taxiways, and a runway are planned. Capacity expansions will also target Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Thiruvananthapuram, Lucknow, and Guwahati airports, expanding overall handling by over 60% throughout Adani's network of seven operating airports leased from the Airports Authority of India. ​

• Navi Mumbai: Phase 1 adds 20 million passengers; future phases up to 90 million.

• Existing airports: Modernisation, including terminal expansions and infrastructure enhancements.

• Total post-expansion: 200 million annual capacity, excluding new openings like Navi Mumbai (20 million) and Guwahati (11 million).​

Funding and Strategic Timing

Funding will come from 70% debt raised over five years and 30% equity, enabling Adani Airport Holdings Ltd.'s growth ahead of a projected initial public offering (IPO) for its airports unit, likely by 2027. This builds on earlier promises, including the Rs 96,000 crore previously mentioned, and comes after recent financing, such as a $750 million global loan in November 2025.

Broader Context and Market Impact

In spite of government plans to privatise 11 more airports and increase the country's network from 160 to 400 by 2047, Adani, the biggest private airport operator in India in terms of assets, faces off against GMR Airports, the largest in terms of traffic. The decision enhances Adani's non-aero revenue streams like city-side developments and highlights its role in powering aviation infrastructure amid a post-pandemic growth, with FY25 passenger handling already at 94 million.