The GMR group had no airport experience till 2001, yet it bagged a 30 year grant to develop a futuristic airport in Shamshabad, Hyderabad. This bid was won only after the GMR proved that it was technically competent by tying up with a minority partner, Malaysia Airport Holdings. However, it was not until 3 years later that the agreement was signed. The GMR group is believed to be investing about Rs 1,500 crores into this project with a capacity of handling 12 million passengers in 2008 alone. They have a mandate to develop a world-class international airport spread over 5,500 acres in Shamshabad, about 25 kms from the main city of Hyderabad.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA) announced that the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad will commence operations from midnight of Saturday. The Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt is expected to land at 0025 hours on Sunday. Thus March 23rd 2008 will be the first operational day for the Airport at Shamshabad.

Partners for GHAIL or GMR-HAIL ( Hyderabad International Airport Limited):

GMR Infrastructure Ltd. has a stake of 63 %. Airports Authority of India is at 13 %, while the Government of Andhra Pradesh has 13 % of the stake. Malaysian Airports Holding Berhad is at 11 %

The GMR group is all set to position Hyderabad as a prominent player on the global aviation map contributing to the prosperity, development and economic well-being of the region.

In the year 2004, the government of India announced its intention to privatize its airports in Mumbai and New Delhi. The impressive list of Business Barons interested were Anil Ambani, Subhash Chandra and Anil Agarwal. Yet, the GMR group beat them all!

The GMR group spent spent $8 million on the bid, persuaded Fraport AG to partner with them so as to gain the stamp of being technically competent. In the end the effort paid off. New Delhi was chosen as the venue on which to build an Airport. The impressive growth potential was what attracted Mr. G.M Rao to invest in it.

Things seem to be going well for the GMR group at this moment. It remains to be seen as to how profitable it will eventually be.