Hyderabad, 18th January 2024: GMR Group, a global infrastructure company, and IndiGo Airlines, one of India's leading airlines, today announced a strategic collaboration forming a digital consortium aimed at reshaping the landscape of the Indian aviation industry. This partnership brings together the diverse strengths of GMR Group's infrastructure expertise and IndiGo Airlines' innovative approach to air travel. The consortium will focus on deploying cutting-edge technologies to enhance operational efficiency, passenger experiences, and overall industry sustainability.
While GMR Group and Indigo will be the Founding Partners of this industry consortium the initiative aims to collaborate with multiple stakeholders of the aviation ecosystem to drive the key objectives of driving technological innovation, enhancing passenger services, achieving operational excellence, and embracing sustainable practices to minimize environmental impact.
Key Objectives of the Consortium:
1. Technological Innovation: Leveraging GMR Group's infrastructure capabilities and IndiGo Airlines' aviation expertise, the consortium will drive technological innovation across various facets of the aviation ecosystem.
2. Enhanced Passenger Services: With a focus on elevating the passenger experience, the consortium will develop and implement digital solutions that streamline the entire travel journey, from booking to post-arrival services.
3. Operational Excellence: By integrating digital tools and processes, the collaboration aims to optimize airport operations, reduce turnaround times, and enhance overall efficiency within the aviation infrastructure.
4. Sustainable Practices: Committed to environmental responsibility, the consortium will explore and implement digital initiatives to minimize the environmental impact of aviation operations.
Speaking on the occasion Mr SGK Kishore ED- South & Chief Innovation Officer, GMR Airports expressed enthusiasm, said "GMR Group stands as a pioneering force in advancing technological innovations within the aviation landscape. This consortium serves as a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation and our leadership in the digital and emerging technology arenas. Currently, GMR Group is steering a range of initiatives geared towards elevating business prospects, including the delivery of superior customer experiences, revenue enhancement, cost reduction opportunities, and the establishment of agile and efficient internal processes. Our dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation remains steadfast, and we anticipate introducing forward-thinking solutions in the years ahead with the entire aviation eco system. This initiative will harness digital technologies to create a future-ready and efficient aviation infrastructure in India.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rajesh Kumar Singh, Special Director, CEO’s office, IndiGo said, “We are thrilled to launch this unique initiative, jointly with GHIAL. An aviation ecosystem, orchestrated in real-time using digital innovations, with the customer at its heart, has the potential to provide breakthrough experiences unparalleled anywhere else in the world. I am confident in our ability to create this outlier in the world of Aviation in close cooperation with our ally GHIAL.”
In addition to cultivating creative ideas, GMR Innovex provides startups with comprehensive support, encompassing mentoring, access to resources, proof-of-concept opportunities, and assistance with patent filings. Collaborators benefit from access to internal resources and subject matter experts in an environment designed to unleash creativity. They also have the opportunity to trial their products and services across diverse sectors, including Airports, MRO, Cargo, Logistics, and Infrastructure.
With a primary focus on airports and a broad portfolio of industries, GMR Group is investing in a spectrum of technologies, including computer vision, data sciences, Blockchain, DroneTech, smart tagging, AI/ML, contactless technology, RPA, EV, autonomous systems, AR/VR, IoT, and Human Machine Interactions (HMI Bots), among other cutting-edge advancements.
About GMR Group
GMR Group is a leading global infrastructure conglomerate with unparalleled expertise in designing, building, and operating airports. It also has a significant presence in sectors like Energy, Transportation, and Urban Infrastructure.
GMR Airports is the largest private airport operator in Asia and 2nd largest in the world with a passenger handling capacity of over 189 million annually. GMR Airports Limited, a subsidiary of GMR Airports Infrastructure Limited [formerly known as GMR Infrastructure Limited] (GIL) has Groupe ADP as its strategic partner, which is holding a 49 per cent stake. GMR Airports operates the iconic Delhi Airport, which is the largest and fastest-growing airport in India. It also runs Hyderabad Airport, a pioneering greenfield airport known for several technological innovations. The company also operates New Goa Airport which is India’s first destination Airport. The airport offers everything a tourist looks for i.e. liveliness in the serene lap of nature, making it a perfect destination for leisure and holistic tourism.
Expanding its overseas footprint, the company is developing and operating Kualanamu International Airport in Medan, Indonesia, in collaboration with Angkasa Pura II (AP II). GMR Airports is also providing technical services to the architecturally renowned and the second busiest airport in the Philippines, Mactan Cebu International Airport in Cebu.
The Group is currently developing two major greenfield airport projects in India and Greece. Bhogapuram airport in India is poised to transform the economy and landscape of the surrounding areas when ready. Crete airport in Greece will similarly play a significant role in the local economy of the region.
GMR Aero Technic (GAT) is India’s largest integrated world-class third-party MRO; a part of GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL). GAT provides complete technical support to aircraft operators, with utmost quality and reliability to ensure that its customers meet their operational requirements. GAT has been constantly upgrading its capabilities and expanding its service offerings to meet the growing maintenance needs of airline operators within and outside India, with a vision to be a lead MRO in the Asia Pacific region.
As a pioneer in implementing the path-breaking Aerotropolis concept in India, GMR Airports is developing unique airport cities on commercial lands available around its airports in Delhi, Hyderabad, and Goa. GMR Delhi Aerocity is a landmark business, leisure, and experiential district. Similarly, GMR Hyderabad Aerocity is coming up as a new-age smart business hub.
GMR’s energy businesses have an installed capacity of over 3,000 MW capacity. With a significant focus on green energy, the company is working towards creating a more sustainable environment by harnessing the power of wind, water, and sun for energy generation. It has a balanced mix in its energy generation portfolio. Around 1,000 MW of clean energy projects of GMR are under various stages of development in India and Nepal.
The Transportation and Urban Infrastructure division focuses on surface transport projects including Roads, Railways, and Airstrips/ Runways in both DBFOT (under GMR Highways) and EPC (under GIL – EPC) segments. The Group has four operating highway assets spanning over 1,824 lane kilometres.
Group’s EPC business is working on the design and construction of the prestigious Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor project of DFCCI (Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India). GMR Group is also developing multi-focus Special Investment Regions in India.
`GMR Group’s underlying philosophy is to work closely with and support the local communities wherever it is present. Towards this, GMR Varalakshmi Foundation (GMRVF), the CSR arm of the Group, focuses on improving the quality of life of people by enhancing skills, providing education, and developing healthcare infrastructure and services.
For further information about GMR Group, visit www.gmrgroup.in
For Further Information, please contact:
Sangeetha CR
Head - Corporate Communications (GHIAL)
Email: Sangeetha.CR@gmrgroup.in
Phone: 040 67395630
Aditi Basak
Lead – PR & Communications (GHIAL)
Email: Aditi.Basak@gmrgroup.in
Phone: 9830568840
Mukesh Vadlamani
AM – Corporate Communications (GHIAL)
Email: Sangeetha.CR@gmrgroup.in
Phone: 8297006156