Over the next five to six years, numerous travel procedures currently handled inside airport terminals will relocate to external areas. Processes such as issuing boarding passes and checking baggage may allow passengers to avoid early terminal entry, according to SGK Kishore, Executive Director and Chief Innovation Officer at GMR Airports.
During Wings India 2026, Kishore highlighted that airport operations face a fundamental transformation, with various passenger services progressively shifting beyond terminal structures. He noted that Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) already offers cityside check-in options. In the years ahead, features like seamless screening, baggage tracking, and pre-terminal processing could minimize early arrivals and ease traveler stress.
Introduction of the Airport Operations Control Centre
These comments follow the launch of the Airport Operations Control Centre (APOC) at RGIA in December 2024. Kishore described APOC as evolving from an internal digital management system into a core element for redefining airport functionality, stakeholder collaboration, and overall passenger journeys.
Rather than building isolated digital solutions for specific needs, GMR developed a layered digital infrastructure that aggregates all airport data. Diverse data streams from various stakeholders feed into a unified central data lake. On this foundation, artificial intelligence models and analytical tools generate practical insights for distribution.
“The greatest assurance for stakeholders now lies in having a single source of truth,” Kishore stated. Previously, airlines, security teams, and airport managers used separate systems with their own datasets, leading to disjointed communication and potential delays in coordination. APOC now centralizes operations in a shared control room at Hyderabad, enabling real-time data access for handling events.
From Isolated Responses to Unified Actions
APOC produces ongoing alerts drawn from video analytics, Internet of Things devices, and operational databases. These notifications cover issues like congestion, aircraft turnaround delays, and safety concerns such as speeding vehicles or unauthorized access to restricted zones.
In the past year, efforts have centered on evaluating and ranking these alerts. Daily volumes can reach thousands, so GMR has categorized them by function and set priority tiers to accelerate responses. “This approach has bolstered readiness for anticipated scenarios, including holiday peaks, festivals, and heightened security events,” Kishore explained.
For unexpected challenges like adverse weather or flight diversions, the platform detects interruptions and predicts ripple effects. While digital twins reveal current conditions and potential outcomes, predefined operational guidelines outline stakeholder responses.
Gearing Up for Expansion
A year after APOC’s activation in Hyderabad, the system has transitioned from setup to reliable performance. The upcoming stage emphasizes predictive operations over reactive measures, ultimately influencing airport layouts and passenger interactions.
“The goal is to reduce passenger anxiety, enhance experiences, and maintain affordability,” Kishore added.
