The proposed developments will span over 655 acres across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur and Guwahati airports, with nearly 22 million square feet of mixed-use infrastructure planned in the initial phase.
The company said nearly 70 per cent of the investment will be concentrated in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, which together account for about 440 acres of the land bank.
According to AACL, the airport city projects will combine hospitality, retail, entertainment, convention and commercial infrastructure within integrated urban districts connected to airport, metro and city transport networks.
Focus on hospitality and commercial infrastructure
The company said the initiative is modelled on globally established airport districts such as Singapore’s Changi, Dubai International, Amsterdam’s Schiphol and Seoul’s Incheon airports, and aims to transform airports into centres of commerce, tourism, investment and urban growth.
“Around the world, the most successful airport districts have become centres of commerce, tourism and urban growth. As India’s aviation market expands, airports have an opportunity to create value far beyond aviation. We are creating a network of integrated urban destinations where airports become catalysts for investment, employment, better passenger experiences and the long-term growth of the cities they serve,” said Jeet Adani, Director, AAHL.
The developments are being designed as walkable urban districts where travellers, businesses and local communities can access hotels, offices, retail, dining, entertainment and convention facilities within a single ecosystem.As part of the programme, AAHL has signed hotel management agreements with IHG Hotels & Resorts for five luxury and premium hotels, including the launch of the Kimpton brand in India. The company said it is also in discussions with domestic and international partners in hospitality, food and beverage, retail and entertainment.
“These developments are being designed with leading global design and engineering partners and informed by emerging trends in hospitality, retail, workplaces and entertainment,” Adani said.
“Our objective is to create vibrant districts that combine connectivity with experience, generating economic activity, employment and long-term value for the communities around them,” he added.
Sustainability and project partners
AACL said all Airport City projects have received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold pre-certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, reflecting a focus on sustainable design, resource efficiency and walkable public spaces.
At the launch event, the company recognised several project partners involved in planning, design and execution. These include architecture firms Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), Benoy and Znera Space; construction companies Larsen & Toubro, Tata Projects and PSP Projects; and consultants CBRE, JLL and Cushman & Wakefield.
AAHL, India’s largest private airport operator, currently manages airports in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Jaipur, Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram, besides developing the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport.