Adani Airports Holdings Ltd (AAHL), the airport vertical of Adani Enterprises Ltd and India’s largest private airport operator, has secured $750 million in funding through external commercial borrowings (ECBs). The funds were raised from a consortium of global financial institutions, including First Abu Dhabi Bank, Barclays PLC, and Standard Chartered Bank, as disclosed in a stock exchange filing on June 4. The transaction marks a significant step in AAHL’s ongoing expansion and financial realignment initiatives.
Highlights:
AAHL raises $750 million via ECBs from top international banks.
Consortium includes First Abu Dhabi Bank, Barclays, Standard Chartered.
Transaction supported by Latham & Watkins, Linklaters, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, and TT&A.
Funds to Refinance Debt and Drive Capacity Expansion Across Six Key Airports
According to the company’s statement, the capital will be used to refinance existing debt and finance infrastructure upgrades across AAHL’s existing airport network, which includes Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Jaipur, Guwahati, and Thiruvananthapuram. The funds will also be deployed to expand non-aeronautical businesses, such as retail, food & beverage, duty-free, and airport services, thereby diversifying revenue streams and boosting operational resilience.
Highlights:
Fund proceeds to refinance debt and fund infrastructure upgrades.
Capacity expansion across six airports prioritized.
Investment to strengthen retail, F&B, and other ancillary segments.
CEO Highlights Strategic Intent, Considers Entry into Ground Handling Segment
AAHL CEO Arun Bansal emphasized the strategic importance of the transaction, stating that global lenders’ trust in the company reflects the long-term growth potential of India’s aviation sector. He added that AAHL is focused on technology adoption, customer experience, and sustainability. Separately, Bansal confirmed AAHL is evaluating entry into ground handling services at Mumbai and Ahmedabad airports, especially in light of Celebi Hava Servisi AS losing its security clearance due to geopolitical tensions involving Turkey.
Highlights:
CEO Bansal: Focus on tech, sustainability, and enhanced customer experience.
AAHL mulls bidding for ground handling at Mumbai, Ahmedabad airports.
Move aligns with Adani Group’s integrated infrastructure strategy.
Navi Mumbai International Airport Nears Operational Launch; Long-Term Capacity Target Set at 300 Million
AAHL also announced that its flagship Navi Mumbai International Airport is nearing operational status, with Phase 1 targeting an annual handling capacity of 20 million passengers, expandable to 90 million over time. Across its portfolio, AAHL currently manages a capacity of 110 million passengers, having served 94 million in FY25. The company has set a bold vision to ramp up this capacity to 300 million passengers annually by 2040, reinforcing its position as a cornerstone of India’s aviation infrastructure roadmap.
Highlights:
Navi Mumbai airport Phase 1 to handle 20 million passengers annually.
Long-term passenger capacity target: 300 million by 2040.
FY25 passenger traffic: 94 million served across network.
