Airport major GMR seeks opportunities in Greece, eyes Kalamata Airport

NEW DELHI: Infra major GMR Group on Friday said it "was actively looking for new investment opportunities in Greece". The airport major is developing a greenfield airport at Crete in Greece in partnership with GEK TERNA and wants to expand its presence in the country which it sees as 'gateway to Europe for Indians', — especially Kalamata Airport.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was recently in Greece, the first visit by an Indian PM to the country in four decades. PM Modi and his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis had elevated the bilateral relationship to 'strategic partnership'. GMR's business chairman (energy & international airports) Srinivas Bommidala was part of the business leaders at a luncheon hosted by the Greek PM in Modi's honour. Bommidala said: "Greece has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to foreign investors like us from India … GMR is passionately exploring investment opportunities in the country, notably at Kalamata Airport."
"Progress at the Heraklion airport in Crete has been commendable. Construction has advanced to about 25%, aligning with the project's timeline. Ongoing efforts include terminal building concreting, external access road development, runway, and taxiway construction, "Bommidala added.
Heraklion International Airport (HER) in Crete is Greece's second busiest after Athens Airport. In collaboration with GEK Terna, GMR has undertaken a Rs 6,000-crore project to build a greenfield airport project in Crete which is expected to commence operations by February 2027.
GMR Airports Infrastructure Limited currently manages six airports across India and abroad in places like Medan, Indonesia, and Cebu, Philippines. In India, it operates airports in Delhi, Hyderabad and New Goa Airport. It is currently developing two major greenfield airport projects in India (Bhogapuram) and Greece.