‘Limited funds, airport infra, land acquisition challenge in remote locations’

Pradeep Panicker, CEO, GMR Hyderabad International Airport (GHIAL) shares, “We have witnessed a boom in air cargo traffic in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The growth is attributed to the rise in manufacturing units, increased industrial output, and the expansion of the e-commerce industry. The potential in perishable cargo has also been a major contributor to this development. However, these cities face challenges, including limited funds for upgrading airport infrastructure, where significant investment is needed. Land acquisition for expansion is complex and time consuming. Additionally, attracting private sector participation in these cities is challenging due to lower passenger and cargo volumes to metropolitan airports.”