Hyderabad airport contributes ₹68,000 crore to Telangana GVA, supports 3.5 lakh jobs: NCAER
HYDERABAD: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport has emerged as one of Telangana’s largest economic drivers, contributing nearly ₹68,000 crore in gross value added (GVA) and supporting about 3.5 lakh jobs in 2024-25, according to an economic impact study by National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER).
Including the adjoining GMR Aerocity, the airport ecosystem’s contribution rises to about ₹75,000 crore in GVA and close to 4.1 lakh jobs. This accounts for over 5% of the State’s GVA and a significant share of national output and employment.
The study, conducted in October last year, found that airport operations alone generated around ₹9,000 crore in GVA and ₹30,000 crore in direct output. Indirect and induced effects through supplier networks and household consumption pushed total output to nearly ₹1.5 lakh crore.
Overall, the airport accounted for 4.63% of Telangana’s GVA and 1.69% of State employment, underlining its structural importance to the regional economy, As reported by The Hindu.
Projections indicate stronger role by 2037-38
NCAER projects that by 2037-38, the combined economic impact of airport operations and GMR Aerocity could reach about ₹2.13 lakh crore in GVA, supporting nearly 9.8 lakh jobs.
The study highlights the airport’s role in trade and exports, particularly for Hyderabad’s life sciences and pharmaceutical industries. Its dedicated pharma zone at the cargo terminal, backed by international certifications and temperature-controlled handling facilities, has enabled sustained high-value exports to markets in the Middle East, Europe, the Far East and Southeast Asia.
Connectivity strengthens Hyderabad’s competitiveness
Passenger traffic growth has reinforced the airport’s competitiveness. It handled about 29.5 million passengers in FY25, including 24.4 million domestic and 5.1 million international travellers.
The airport currently connects 72 domestic and 24 international destinations.
The study notes that the airport’s growth has coincided with Telangana’s transformation into one of India’s more competitive economies, marked by strong GDP growth, rising foreign investment and Hyderabad’s emergence as a hub for technology, pharmaceuticals and global capability centres.
