Airport of tomorrow, delivered today

In an era where passenger expectations are rising and technologies are evolving at breakneck speed, airports must do more than manage traffic—they must reimagine the travel experience.

At the core of this transformation stands SGK Kishore, Executive Director and Chief Innovation Officer, GMR Airports, leading Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), Hyderabad, with a strategy that doesn’t just keep up with global benchmarks—but often sets them.

“Our strategy revolves around defining two parallel value streams: one dedicated to ‘Running the Business’ and the other focused on ‘Reimagining the Business,’” explains Kishore. 

While operational efficiency and service standards are maintained through one stream, the other actively pursues innovation via cross-functional ideation, design sprints, and on-ground SPOCs embedded within teams. “Innovation efforts must be grounded in real-world challenges,” he adds, ensuring a tight integration between operations and long-term digital transformation.

APOC: The predictive brain of Hyderabad Airport

The transformation is driven by the AI-powered Airport Predictive Operation Centre (APOC), a globally recognized leader in intelligent airport management. APOC synthesizes real-time data and analytics to proactively manage passenger flow, allocate resources, and prevent bottlenecks during peak hours.

“From gate usage and dwell times to behavior analytics that detect anomalies, APOC enables data-driven decisions that enhance security, reduce wait times, and improve service delivery,” says Kishore. Built in collaboration with GMR’s innovation hub Innovex, APOC epitomizes how AI can deliver predictive, not just reactive, airport management.

Contactless, seamless, smart

Hyderabad Airport is aggressively deploying emerging technologies to deliver a truly frictionless travel experience. “Today’s traveler seeks an information-rich, self-managed journey,” says Kishore. This has translated into initiatives like Digi Yatra—a biometric-based access system for seamless transit—and the Trusted Travellers Programme, which fast-tracks immigration clearance.

IoT-powered smart trolleys, real-time virtual info displays, QR-code based feedback systems, and Express Security Lanes are redefining convenience at every passenger touchpoint. To manage landside traffic, ANPR technology and FASTag-integrated parking streamline vehicle movements. “Technology with empathy—that’s our guiding principle,” notes Kishore.

Sustainability at the core

Sustainability is a non-negotiable pillar of GMR’s operational ethos. Hyderabad Airport operates entirely on 100% renewable energy, sourced from a 10 MWp on-site solar plant and green grid energy. With EVs, low-GWP refrigerants, and a transition to electric ground support equipment, the airport addresses emissions across all scopes.

“We’ve embedded energy efficiency across lighting, HVAC, and systems. We’re not just compliant—we’re proactive,” Kishore says, highlighting the airport’s LEED Platinum certifications and Level 5 ACA (Airport Carbon Accreditation)—the highest global recognition for carbon management.

Waste and water management systems mirror this commitment. By June 2025, RGIA will process 100% of wet waste on-site into compost, while adopting a 4Rs water strategy—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Replenish—to conserve resources and recharge groundwater levels.

Cornerstone of consistency

Airports are complex ecosystems. GMR ensures cohesion through a robust stakeholder engagement framework that includes the Airport Facilitation Committee (AFC), Airport Security Committee (APSC), and the Incident Management Committee (IMC)—each with structured roles involving airlines, regulatory agencies, and ground handlers.

“Collaboration is institutionalized here,” Kishore says. “Our APOC also acts as a real-time command center, with representatives from all major stakeholders enabling unified, fast, and informed decisions.”

Scaling up

With annual passenger numbers poised to grow from 34 million to 50 million by 2031, Hyderabad Airport is planning big. “Our master plan includes a second runway and a terminal capable of handling 100 MPPA (million passengers per annum),” Kishore reveals.

Supporting this is an overhaul of the airport’s landside infrastructure—including the expansion of the main access road from four to eight lanes. On the tech front, RGIA is betting big on RFID baggage tracking, AI-powered queue management, and contactless payment ecosystems to elevate digital engagement. 

Hyderabad Airport is not just innovating at the edges—it’s embedding future-readiness into its DNA. Under Kishore’s stewardship, GMR Airports is proving that operational rigor and visionary transformation can go hand in hand. As he aptly puts it, “We’re not just running an airport. We’re reimagining what an airport can be.”