Adani Airports Secures $750 Million Funding from Global Lenders to Fuel Expansion Plans

Adani Airports Holdings Ltd (AAHL), the country's largest private airport operator, has raised $750 million through External Commercial Borrowings (ECB) from a consortium of international banks to support the next phase of its growth strategy.

The financing round was led by First Abu Dhabi Bank, Barclays PLC, and Standard Chartered Bank. The funds are earmarked for refinancing existing debt and upgrading infrastructure at six key airports: Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Jaipur, Guwahati, and Thiruvananthapuram. A significant portion will also go toward boosting non-aeronautical revenue streams including retail, food and beverage, duty-free outlets, and airport services.

AAHL, a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Ltd, handled 94 million passengers in the financial year 2024-25. With a current handling capacity of 110 million, the company is aiming to triple its capacity to 300 million passengers annually by 2040 through a phased development plan.

A crucial part of this expansion roadmap includes the much-anticipated Navi Mumbai International Airport, which is expected to begin operations shortly. The first phase is projected to serve 20 million passengers, eventually scaling up to 90 million annually. The project is expected to significantly decongest and enhance air travel capacity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

In a statement, AAHL CEO Arun Bansal said, "The trust placed in us by global financial institutions highlights the long-term potential of India's aviation infrastructure. Our focus remains on delivering seamless, tech-enabled customer experiences while ensuring sustainability and community impact across our airport network."

The legal advisory for the transaction included Latham and Watkins LLP and Linklaters LLP for English law, while Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas and TT&A advised on Indian legal matters.

Expanding Footprint in Aviation
Established in 2019, AAHL has rapidly scaled its portfolio. It manages eight airports across India and holds a 74% stake in Mumbai International Airport Ltd, which also holds a similar stake in Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd.

AAHL currently accounts for approximately 23% of India's total passenger traffic and 29% of air cargo volume, positioning it as a significant player in the nation's aviation infrastructure sector.