August 5, 2026 | 06:59 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An Indian airport operator, GMR Airports Limited or GMR Airports, is looking to expand its investments in Indonesia for private sector participation in airport management.
Srinivas Bommidala, Business Chair International Airports & Energy at GMR Group, said the company was keen to pursue new opportunities following its investment in Kualanamu International Airport in Medan, North Sumatra, through a partnership with state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II.
"If the government opens opportunities for the private sector, we would be very interested in participating in the bidding process. Everything depends on the Indonesian government. If the government is open to airport privatization, we are ready to participate," Bommidala said in Visakhapatnam, India, on Monday, August 3, 2026.
Bommidala said Indonesia was an important market for India and both countries shared centuries-old historical ties.
"We know Indonesia is a very important country, which is why we are interested in increasing our investment there," he added.
GMR entered Indonesia through Kualanamu International Airport by forming a joint venture with PT Angkasa Pura II.
The partnership established PT Angkasa Pura Aviasi under a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme, with GMR Airports holding a 49 percent stake and PT Angkasa Pura II retaining the remaining 51 percent.
GMR's interest in the Indonesian market is also in line with its broader strategy to expand its international aviation network.
Bommidala described Indonesia as a strategic market for improving connectivity between India and Southeast Asia to open more direct international routes.
The opportunity is expected to grow with the development of Bhogapuram Airport in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The airport was inaugurated on Saturday, August 1, 2026, and is scheduled to begin full commercial operations on Aug. 17.
"With operations and partnerships spanning India, Indonesia, Philippines, and Greece; we are building an integrated international aviation platform that connects economies, drives tourism, facilitates trade, and creates long-term value for communities," Bommidala said.
GMR's interest comes as Indonesia and India seek to deepen transport connectivity.
In a joint statement issued during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Jakarta in July, Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto underscored the importance of strengthening maritime and air connectivity between the two countries and called for greater flight links and port-to-port connections.
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