The expansion project at GMR-run Hyderabad International Airport is nearing completion, as the airport has recently operationalised the additional east area covering 6.07 lakh sq ft. This new space has been seamlessly integrated with the existing terminal as part of the fourth phase of the airport's expansion initiative. With this development, the airport has now operationalised a total area of 29.5 lakh sq ft (previously 23.42 lakh sq ft), marking the completion of 95% of the ongoing expansion efforts. According to sources from GMR Hyderabad International Airport (GHIAL), the remaining work is scheduled to be finished by the end of this year. Originally designed to accommodate 12 million passengers per annum when it commenced operations in 2008, the airport embarked on an expansion journey in mid-2021. The goal was to enhance its capacity to handle over 34 million passengers annually, with a significant investment of $840 million. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the aviation sector rebounded in 2022-23, leading to a total passenger traffic of 21 million at the airport during that period. GHIAL sources provided details about the newly expanded east area, highlighting its features such as 24 remote bus domestic departure gates, arrival facilities, 12 passenger boarding aero bridges, contact stands, and a dedicated domestic-to-domestic (D-D) transfer area. Additionally, the area is equipped with three ATRS (automatic tray retrieval system) machines, one screening machine, 12 departure gates, 22 escalators and elevators each, two travellators, 19 staircases, and nine restrooms for both men and women, among other amenities. Furthermore, the expansion efforts extended to the airside as well, with the addition of 85 aircraft stands, a ground service equipment tunnel, and four new rapid taxiways, enhancing the airport's operational capabilities.