GMR Airports Poised for Strong Growth Driven by Rising Traffic and Diversification, Analyst Recommends Buy

## GMR Airports Forecasted for Significant Growth and Financial Improvement

GMR Airports, the largest private airport operator in India holding a 27% share of passenger traffic, is anticipated to experience a robust 9% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in passenger traffic between FY25 and FY28. This growth rate is projected to significantly outperform India's average of 5%. The expansion will be driven by increasing overall passenger numbers and a growing contribution from international travel, with Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) and GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL) expected to lead this growth.

### Diversification Strategy

The company is focusing on diversifying its revenue streams. Aero revenue is set to increase due to tariff hikes and capacity expansions. Simultaneously, the non-aero business segment is undergoing a significant revamp, aiming to boost income from retail, including duty-free operations, Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services, and cargo handling. The partnership with Groupe ADP is expected to be instrumental in enhancing retail offerings.

### Groupe ADP Partnership and Financial Outlook

The strategic involvement of Groupe ADP at the board level is anticipated to strengthen GMR Airports' capacity for fundraising, improve project execution, and bolster its competitiveness in bidding for new airport projects. The company is transitioning from a utility-focused model to a consumption-driven business, particularly through its non-aero segments and commercial property development. Fiscal year 2026 is identified as a pivotal year, with expectations of achieving positive net profit (PAT), initiating debt deleveraging as capital expenditure (capex) stabilizes, and potentially receiving credit rating upgrades.

### Investment Recommendation and Risks

Analysts have initiated coverage with a 'Buy' recommendation and a Sum-of-the-Parts Target Price (SoTP-TP) of ₹123. GMR Airports is currently trading below its three-year average Enterprise Value to Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EV/EBITDA) multiple of 26x, presenting an attractive entry point for investors in India's sole listed pure-play airport operator.

Key risks for the company include its substantial debt levels and the potential emergence of new competitors in the market.

**Impact:** This news carries significant weight for investors in GMR Airports and the broader Indian infrastructure and transportation sectors. The positive outlook, combined with analyst upgrades and financial projections, could positively influence investor sentiment and the stock's performance. Rating: 8/10.

**Definitions:** * **CAGR:** Compound Annual Growth Rate, representing the average annual growth of an investment over time. * **DIAL:** Delhi International Airport Limited, operator of Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. * **GHIAL:** GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited, operator of Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. * **Aero growth:** Revenue generated from aircraft operations, like landing and passenger fees. * **Non-aero reset:** Revamping revenue streams unrelated to aircraft operations, such as retail and food services. * **Groupe ADP:** A French airport operator involved in GMR Airports. * **MRO:** Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul, services for aircraft. * **Land monetisation:** Generating revenue from unused or surplus land. * **Annuity revenue:** Predictable, recurring income over a period. * **PAT:** Profit After Tax, the net profit after all expenses and taxes. * **Deleveraging:** Reducing a company's debt burden. * **Capex:** Capital Expenditure, spending on fixed assets like property or equipment. * **SoTP-TP:** Sum-of-the-Parts Target Price, a valuation method based on individual business unit values. * **EV/EBITDA:** Enterprise Value to Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization, a valuation metric.