GMR to develop aerotropolis at H'bad airport

The GMR Group, which operates the New Delhi and Hyderabad international airports, will develop an 'aerotropolis' here, which will house special zones for entertainment, education and hospitality among others.

GMR Group Chairman G M Rao said the group will create seven 'ports' which would form the aerotropolis with a view to support revenue and the growing airport traffic in future.

An aerotropolis is a new type of urban setting comprising aviation-intensive businesses and related areas extending up to 25km off major airports.

"We will set up aerospace, hospitality, health, medical, logistics, convention, education and entertainment ports to make the airport a world-class one," Rao said on the sidelines of the formal launch of CFM International's training facility at the 250-acre Aerospace SEZ, near Hyederabad airport today.

He said a 500-bed hospital, an international school and a management school with world-class standards will also be set up in the first phase. However, he declined to answer whether the group is talking to someone for tie-ups.

"We have 5,500 acres and we would create all necessary infrastructure for the seven ports to make the 'aerotroplis' the world's best model," Rao said.

He said the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility, a joint venture between GMR and Malaysian Aerospace, will be operational by next year. He also said the company would request CFM International to set up another MRO unit at the Aerospace SEZ.