On 14 March 2008, UPA chairperson, Ms. Sonia Gandhi is scheduled to inaugurate GMR Hyderabad International Airport's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad. Phase I of the project will have capacity to handle 12 million passengers. The ultimate capacity is 40 million passengers and 1 million tone of cargo, annually. The airport has a 70-metre tall air traffic control (ATC) with the state-of-the-art equipment, a world-class cargo terminal, 42 aircraft parking stands with 12 aero-bridges and 30 remote parking bays, 60 check-in counters with common user terminal equipment (CUTE) and 16 self check-in kiosks.

On 11 March 2008, the Civil Aviation Ministry issued a notification confirming the closure of commercial operations at Hyderabad's old Begumpet airport, and the commencement of commercial flights from the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport beginning 16 March 2008. The notification is in line with the concession agreement signed in December 2004, between the Government of India and GMR Hyderabad International Airport (GHIAL).

It is learnt that, GHIAL has received the aerodrome license, clearance for operation of fire fighting systems, environmental clearance from the AP Pollution Control Board and permission to serve as a notified customs zone.

The airport has been built by GHAIL, a joint venture in which GMR Infrastructure holds 63 percent, Malaysia Airports Holding Berhad 11 percent, Airports Authority of India (AAI) 13 percent and the Andhra Pradesh government 13 percent.