The GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd has registered a steady growth of passenger traffic in the past few months, but was lagging behind New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore airports. Talking to reporters here on Thursday, CEO, GHIAL, P. Sripathy said there were signs of revival of economy with a 17 per cent growth in passenger volumes this October compared to the same period last year with 19 per cent increase in domestic and 11 per cent in international passengers. Also the passenger traffic grew by 11 per cent in October compared to its previous month (domestic-80 per cent, international 20 per cent). However, the overall growth was less than average and slower than other cities. The passenger traffic was 6.2 million last year and was expected to be more or less the same this year.
The CEO confirmed that GHIAL had sent a proposal for revising the user development fee to the government and it was before the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority. He declined to specify the amount saying it would be premature to quote figures. Though 5,500 tonnes of cargo was handled last month as against 4,800 tonnes in September, it was less than last year's quantity. The break even which was expected to be achieved by 2014 earlier had been extended to 2020 but that might change depending on the overall growth of the economy. On improving non-areo revenue, the CEO said GHIAL had initiated cost-cutting measures on expenses and salaries among others. He, however, added that there would be no retrenchment. Regarding plans to develop regional and international airports, he said an MoU was signed recently with the Maldivian government to explore the opportunity.