Indian infrastructure giant GMR Group is looking to expand its presence in the Philippines, capitalizing on the recent inauguration of Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport (Vizag Airport) at Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh, which is poised to serve as India's “Gateway to Southeast Asia。”
GMR Group Chairman for Energy and International Airports Srinivas Bommidala during an interview with Philippine delegates in Visakhapatnam, India prior to the inauguration of Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Bhogapuram, Andhra Pradesh。
Leading the inauguration was Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with local officials that included Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Nara Chandrababu Naidu and Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu. In his remarks, PM Modi emphasized that the path to prosperity is through investment, production, exports and employment.
Designed as a next-generation smart airport and developed at a cost of over $587-million via a public-private partnership, the Vizag Airport will begin full commercial operations on August 17 with an initial capacity to handle six million passengers annually, then expanding to over 40 million passengers annually.
Strategically located on India’s eastern coast in Andhra Pradesh, the new gateway is expected to unlock massive trade, logistics, and tourism links with neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member-nations that include the Philippines, laying the groundwork for potentially more direct commercial flights between India and the Philippines.
This development aligns with GMR’s long-term business strategy in the aviation sector in the Philippines, where it has established a highly remarkable operational track record, having successfully implemented the transformation of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) and the modern passenger terminal at Clark International Airport。
The Indian conglomerate has also partnered with Philippine powerhouse companies Cavitex Holdings Inc. and House of Investments for the development of Sangley Point International Airport (SPIA) and the Sangley Aerocity in Cavite, aimed at easing the heavy congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila.
In an interview, GMR Group’s Chairman for Energy and International Airports, Srinivas Bommidala, expressed the group’s strong intent to expand its business footprint in the Philippines.
The stunning Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport by the GMR Group combines regional heritage with modern innovation, seen in the terminal’s aerodynamic design inspired by the shape of a local flying fish called “parava Meenu” integrated with modern passenger-processing systems that feature e-gates, an advanced baggage handling system and AI-driven biometrics such as DigiYatra and Airport Predictive Operations Centre. The green-certified facility is built to withstand severe weather conditions and wind speeds of up to 275 kilometers per hour (kph) while the Air Traffic Control tower can withstand up to 295 kph.
“We'll be more than happy, because we have already done two projects in the Philippines in recent years. And certainly, as a private investor, we'll be more than happy to look at good opportunities, including Sangley and other regional airports, which will be a win-win for both of us, between India and the Philippines,” Chairman Bommidala said, noting that government-to-government (G2G) interaction has been on the rise.
The infrastructure push comes amid a broader alignment between Manila and New Delhi with bilateral trade and government-to-government cooperation having steadily climbed over the past few years. During the visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to India in August last year where he met with Chairman Bommidala and other senior executives of the company, GMR discussed the potential to develop SPIA and Sangley Aerocity and explore opportunities in other regional gateways.
According to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, President Marcos Jr. has given instructions to appropriate government agencies that include the Departments of Transportation, Finance, Trade and Industry as well as the Philippine Navy to roll out the “red carpet” for GMR to ensure the flow of investments to the Philippines. The SPIA and Aerocity project is projected to generate up to 15,000 direct and indirect jobs that could provide multi-million dollars in government revenues.
“The inauguration of Vizag Airport represents another significant milestone in GMR Airports’ journey as one of the world’s leading airport infrastructure companies. With operations spanning India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Greece, we are building an integrated international aviation platform that connects economies, promotes tourism, facilitates trade and creates value for communities,” disclosed Chairman Bommidala。
Named after a legendary Indian revolutionary and freedom fighter, the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport features an integrated passenger terminal (designed in the shape of a locally found flying fish "Parava meenu") with modern passenger-processing systems, including self-service facilities, e-gates and advanced baggage handling systems. The airport terminal is built to withstand severe weather conditions and wind speeds of up to 275 kilometers per hour (kph)， while the Air Traffic Control tower can withstand up to 295 kph.
A technology-first approach underpins airport operations through smart airport systems, DigiYatra integration (an industry-led, voluntary digital identity system at airports that uses Facial Recognition Technology)， AI-enabled passenger services and an Airport Predictive Operations Center (APOC) that provides real-time operational visibility and predictive analytics。
The airport's airside infrastructure includes a 3,800-meter Code 4E runway, parallel taxiway, rapid exit taxiways, 18 aircraft stands and a 55-meter ATC tower, enabling efficient operations and future growth. Sustainability has also been embedded into the airport's design through energy-efficient systems, green building standards, natural lighting and a 5 MW solar power plant。
Beyond aviation infrastructure, the development includes a 154-acre Aerocity, a residential township and an industrial zone, creating an integrated ecosystem for business, logistics, training and aerospace-related industries。
Chairman Bommidala also disclosed plans by GMR regarding a 500-acre Aviation Hub to support aviation ecosystem, MRO and manufacturing. “We’ll be more than happy to tie up with multiple countries and multiple aviation ecosystems for training,” the GMR executive said, adding that moving forward, they expect “a lot of Filipino people to come in and get trained as well。”
Asked what gives him the confidence to pursue business opportunities in the Philippines, Chairman Bommidala noted, “I like the way (Filipino) people work… they're very hospitable. They are very friendly and the culture is closer to India… There is a very good working relation and people are very friendly。”
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