GMR values direct flight access as opening economic opportunities for Indonesia-India

GMR Group, an Indian multinational infrastructure company, believes direct flight access can strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and India, particularly by boosting economic and tourism flows between the two countries. GMR Group Business Chairman for International Airports & Energy, Srinivas Bommidala, said direct connectivity opens more opportunities for business and cultural activities between the people of Indonesia and India. “The first thing I feel is important is direct connectivity, which must be a priority. Once direct connectivity is available, I think relations between the two countries will grow even closer,” Bommidala told ANTARA in Visakhapatnam, India, on Monday. The statement was made while discussing development opportunities for Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport (Bhogapuram Airport), which is scheduled to begin operations on 17 August 2026. The airport, located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, is being developed to become one of the main aviation gateways on India’s east coast. The airport’s existence opens opportunities for international airlines to develop routes to various countries, including Indonesia. According to Bommidala, more route options will increase the mobility of people from both countries. The increase in passenger flows can ultimately drive economic and tourism activity. “Once people start travelling from one country to another, there will be cross-cultural exchange and various needs will arise. I think that will be a good first step,” he said. Meanwhile, SGK Kishore, Executive Director and Chief Innovation Officer of GMR Airports, said Indonesia is one of the priority markets in the development of Bhogapuram Airport’s international flight network. Besides Indonesia, GMR Airports is also targeting Vietnam, the Philippines, and Greece as potential markets for international route development. “Rather than having to transit through another hub, we want to provide direct connectivity. So, we want to make this airport a hub,” he said. Bhogapuram Airport is being built with an investment of more than 56.4 billion rupees, or approximately 591 million US dollars, by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited through a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme. In the first phase, the airport is targeted to serve up to six million passengers per year. This capacity will subsequently be developed to more than 40 million passengers per year.