GMR Airports Limited witnessed significant institutional trading activity with a block trade involving 9.67 million shares executed at ₹104.30 per share.

Block Trade Details

The transaction represents a substantial volume of shares changing hands through the block deal mechanism, which is typically used by institutional investors for large-value transactions.

Market Implications

Block trades are executed outside the regular trading mechanism and typically involve institutional participants such as mutual funds, insurance companies, foreign institutional investors, or high-net-worth individuals. These transactions allow large volumes to be traded without significantly impacting the stock's market price during regular trading hours.

The execution at ₹104.30 per share indicates the price level at which institutional investors were willing to transact in GMR Airports' shares. Such block deals often provide insights into institutional sentiment and strategic positioning in the stock.

About Block Trading

Block deals are special trading windows that allow transactions of large quantities of shares between institutional investors. These trades are reported separately and provide transparency regarding significant ownership changes or institutional activity in listed companies.

Union Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu successfully arrived at Bhogapuram airport in Andhra Pradesh aboard an Air India validation flight, marking a significant milestone in the airport's development timeline. The validation flight was conducted by GMR Airports -led GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Ltd. in the presence of senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India (AAI), and Andhra Pradesh government officials.

Validation Flight Achievement

The successful flight validated critical infrastructure including airside infrastructure, navigational aids, runway systems, and overall operational readiness in line with regulatory requirements laid down by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This validation represents a crucial step in acquiring an aerodrome licence and serves as a critical prerequisite before the commencement of commercial flight operations.

Strategic Economic Impact

Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu emphasized that this milestone marks a historic moment in Andhra Pradesh's development journey. "Visakhapatnam is set to become the economic capital of the East. The Bhogapuram Airport will serve as a powerful engine of growth—creating employment opportunities, catalysing regional industries, and significantly enhancing connectivity for people and businesses alike," he stated.

The minister highlighted that the airport will strengthen trade, boost exports, and unlock the immense tourism potential of Andhra Pradesh. With world-class infrastructure, the project is expected to accelerate economic development, attract investment, and place the region firmly on the global aviation and commerce map.

Development Progress and Infrastructure

GMR Group Deputy Managing Director I Prabhakar Rao confirmed that the Bhogapuram Airport project has achieved over 90% completion and is progressing well ahead of stipulated timelines. The facility is being developed under a Public-Private Partnership model on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis as a Greenfield Airport in stages.

Operational Capacity and Future Scope

Once operational, Bhogapuram airport will significantly expand the region's aviation capacity with an initial annual passenger handling capability of six million passengers. The airport will feature an aerotropolis, an aviation hub, and a dedicated state-of-the-art cargo terminal, ensuring world-class facilities for efficient cargo operations.

GMR Group Business Chairman (Airports) G B S Raju noted that the Bhogapuram International Airport reflects the Group's long-standing commitment to creating world-class national assets that catalyse economic growth and regional development. "For over two decades, the Group has played a pioneering role in building and operating some of India's most iconic airports, transforming aviation infrastructure through scale, sustainability and passenger-centric design," he said.

The successful validation flight positions Bhogapuram airport as a key infrastructure development that will transform regional aviation connectivity and economic growth in Andhra Pradesh.