GMR Airports takes over duty-free operations at Delhi Airport

New Delhi: According to a recent news report, GMR Airports Limited began operating the duty-free stores at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), New Delhi, from midnight on July 28, 2025. 

The transition follows the company’s selection as the winning bidder to develop, operate, manage, and maintain the airport’s duty-free business, as notified to the Indian stock exchanges on August 21, 2024.

Previously, Delhi Duty Free was managed through a joint venture involving Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), Yalorvin Limited—an Aer Rianta International (ARI) subsidiary—and GMR Airports. 

With this transition, GMR has now consolidated control over duty-free operations at India’s busiest airport, adding to its existing portfolio that includes retail operations at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Goa’s Dabolim Airport, and Kannur International Airport.

DIAL, which oversees IGIA, operates under a consortium led by the GMR Group, further reinforcing the conglomerate’s dominant presence in the Indian aviation sector. In a regulatory filing issued Monday, GMR Airports confirmed the commencement of its retail operations at Delhi Airport, emphasizing the milestone as a significant development in its airport retail strategy.

The move is seen as part of GMR’s broader initiative to streamline passenger services and enhance commercial revenue streams across key Indian airports. With IGIA being the country’s largest and busiest airport, handling tens of millions of passengers annually, gaining control of its retail operations positions GMR to capitalize on high-footfall commercial opportunities.

The takeover marks a new chapter for Delhi Duty Free and reflects a growing trend of airport operators integrating retail management to offer more seamless and profitable passenger experiences.