Shamshabad Hyderabad Airport
Shamshabad Airport, called Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, is the biggest and busiest greenfield airport in India, located just 24 km south of Hyderabad.Since its grand opening on 23 March 2008, this sprawling 5,500-acre complex has grown into a welcoming hub that effortlessly handles tens of millions of travellers each year. It bears the name of the former Prime Minister and is at Shamshabad, 24 kilometres to the south of the city. Its opening date was March 23, 2008. The contact number of the airport is 040 6654 6370.
Because , On 14 March 2005, the Government of India issued a notification changing Shamshabad Airport to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport,to honour Rajiv Gandhi’s pilot training in Hyderabad during the late 1960s .
Two days later, on 16 March 2005, Sonia Gandhi laid the foundation stone alongside Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, formalising the airport’s new name and symbolising Rajiv Gandhi’s vision for advancing India’s civil aviation infrastructure .
The airport’s address is:
Shamshabad, Hyderabad, Telangana–500409.
The neighbourhood is growing fast because the airport is in the area. There is a rising need for homes here. Elite projects of homes like Godrej Regal Pavilion Hyderabad by Godrej Properties are being built in the area. The homes here are very popular with people who travel a lot.
The airport is known for its high-tech facilities and for its many green features. Here is an overview of the airport:
- At 5,500 acres, it is the biggest airport and the first greenfield airport in the country.
- It is run and owned by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited.
- The airport started the first e-boarding in the country for domestic passengers in December 2015. The service was started for international flights in October 2020.
- It is the fourth busiest airport in the country for passenger travel. About 29 million people used it from April 2024 to March 2025. Over 167,660 tonnes of cargo was moved through it during the same period.
No problem, I can make it even more concise. Here's a very simple table with just the absolute key numerical figures:
| Feature | Value |
| Total Area | 5,500 acres |
| Current Passenger Capacity | 40 million passengers per annum (MPPA) |
| FY 2024-25 Passengers | 29.16 million |
| FY 2024 Cargo Volume | 180,914 metric tonnes |
| Longest Runway Length | 4,260 meters (13,976 ft) |
| Opened On | March 14, 2008 |
| Runways | 2 |
Some of the latest updates and key announcements regarding the Shamshabad Airport 2025 are:
As per the latest update in June 2025, GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd unveiled a ₹14,000 crore capex plan to expand Shamshabad Airport by FY 2030–31, including a second runway, enlarged Terminal 2, and a new terminal, raising annual passenger capacity from 40 million to over 50 million. Also the new ₹370 crore cargo terminal at Shamshabad Airport has gone live, boosting annual freight handling capacity to nearly 4 lakh tonnes and reinforcing Hyderabad’s position as a leading logistics and pharmaceutical export hub.
The Shamshabad Hyderabad Airport is a modern, well-designed space that has:
- Integrated Terminal: There is one large terminal that is used for both international and domestic flights. It has added about 379,370 square metres of space to it.
- Runways: There are two runways in the airport: 3,707 by 45 metres and 4,260 by 60 metres.
- Information Online: The flight schedules and departures of aircraft from the Shamshabad Hyderabad Airport can be found on the website.
- Amenities: The airport has many services, some of which are:
- Elite lounges that offer food, drink, WiFi, and comfortable places to sit. The lounge list of the airport includes the Encalm and the Air India Maharajah lounges.
- A large number of food outlets and cafes.
- Duty-free shops and other shops that have all that people travelling through might need.
- There is free WiFi in the airport and charging stations in the whole terminal.
- Wheelchairs are given to passengers who need them.
- The Apollo Hospital clinic and pharmacy are open all day and night.
- There are facilities to change money and rent cars.
The terminal at Shamshabad Hyderabad Airport has been given an LEED Platinum rating. It has 84 points from USGBC. The airport makes smart use of resources. It also saves water and uses less energy. The quality of the space in the interiors is high.
- Roads – It can be reached by wide roads like NH44, Nehru Outer Ring Road, and PV Narasimha Rao Expressway. Pusphak buses run from all areas to the airport. There are also authorized cabs and app-based cabs.
- Metro – Work on the Hyderabad Airport Express Metro is ongoing, and it will make it much easier to travel to the terminus.
The airport at Shamshabad Hyderabad is one of the best in the country. It has added value to living in the grand Godrej Regal Pavilion Rajendra Nagar project. The project is 10.3 kilometres away, and it is easy to reach the airport from here.
FAQs
Since July 2013, Shamshabad Airport has been officially christened Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), honouring India’s late Prime Minister. This globally accredited gateway serves Hyderabad and the Telangana region under its new title.
A: Travellers can unwind in RGIA’s sleek J-Pods starting at ₹500 per hour, complete with USB charging, mood lighting and privacy curtains. For longer stays, special rates apply—e.g., a 3-hour block for around ₹1,400—making them an ideal, budget-friendly oasis between flights.
A: Yes. The Hyderabad Airport Metro (Blue Line) runs directly from Hitec City to RGIA, stopping at key hubs like Rajendranagar, Narsingi and Shamshabad. Trains operate every 10–15 minutes between 6 AM and 11 PM, offering a fast, air-conditioned link to the heart of the city.
A: RGIA is managed by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL), a public–private partnership. The GMR Group holds 74 % equity, while the Airports Authority of India and also Government of Telangana each retain 13 %, together ensuring world-class service standards.
