DELHI- India’s Busiest Airport, Delhi International Airport (DEL) has achieved a landmark achievement by becoming the first airport in India to connect 150 destinations, establishing itself as a pivotal global aviation hub.
The milestone was reached on Sunday when Thai AirAsia X (XJ) launched direct flights between Delhi and Bangkok-Don Mueang (DMK), marking the airport’s 150th connected destination.
Delhi Airport Destinations
The new Bangkok route will operate using Airbus A330 aircraft, initially running twice weekly and expanding to four weekly flights by mid-January 2025. This development underscores Delhi Airport’s strategic expansion of its destination network and commitment to enhancing passenger connectivity.
The airport’s international reach has grown significantly, adding over 20 premier international destinations in recent years. These new routes include diverse locations such as Phnom Penh, Bali Denpasar, Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver, Washington Dulles, Chicago O’Hare, and Tokyo Haneda.
Delhi Airport’s growth extends beyond mere destination count. The airport has witnessed a remarkable 100% increase in transfer passenger volume over the last decade, solidifying its status as South Asia’s premier transit hub. Its long-haul connectivity is particularly impressive, with 88% of India’s long-haul destinations connected through Delhi.
The airport’s significance is further highlighted by its passenger statistics. Approximately 56% of all long-haul weekly flights departing from India originate from Delhi. Moreover, 42% of long-haul passengers from India choose Delhi Airport as their primary gateway.
The airport also facilitates connections for 4 million domestic passengers to international destinations annually.
What about Other Major Airports?
Aviation A2Z found out that other major airports are far behind Delhi Airport in terms of the destinations they serve.
According to data, Mumbai Airport (BOM) is connected to around 120 destinations across 40 countries including 66 domestic ones.
While Bengaluru Airport (BLR) has recently achieved a milestone in serving more than 100 destinations. It currently serves 104 destinations across 24 countries. The majority of these destinations are domestic (73). However, IndiGo (6E) and Air India (AI) are set to transform these in the coming years with huge untapped market potential.
Also Read:
Top 10 Unserved Routes from Bengaluru Airport: New York, Dallas, Seattle Leads
IndiGo Airlines Strong International Expansion from Metro Cities
Furthermore, Hyderabad Airport (HYD) is connected to 93 destinations across 16 countries. It serves over 70 domestic destinations.
Similarly, Chennai is connected to 68, Kolkata with 64, and Ahmedabad with 55 Destinations. Further, other top 15 or 20 are connected to less than 50 destinations.
Major Hub in India
The strategic induction of wide-body aircraft by Indian carriers is positioning Delhi Airport as a premier international travel hub. The airport’s ongoing transformation signals a significant leap in global connectivity and aviation infrastructure.
Delhi International Airport Limited’s CEO, Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, emphasized the milestone of connecting 150 destinations as a strategic achievement.
We are leading India into a new aviation era, committed to creating world-class travel experiences and establishing ourselves as the preferred global travel hub.”
Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, Delhi International Airport CEO
The airport’s success stems from its advanced infrastructure and passenger-focused design. State-of-the-art facilities and streamlined transfer processes have enabled Delhi Airport to set new industry standards for operational efficiency and traveler convenience.
Busiest Airport in the Country
Indira Gandhi International Airport, originally known as Palam Airport, has undergone a remarkable transformation since its renaming in 1986. The airport expanded from a modest 3 million passenger capacity in 1979-80 to become a critical national transportation infrastructure.
Terminal development marked significant milestones in the airport’s growth. Terminal 2’s opening in 1986 initiated a new phase of airport expansion, with Terminal 1 strategically divided to accommodate domestic and international operations. Recent renovations have further enhanced passenger facilities, including a new domestic arrivals terminal and dedicated departures block.
The airport now serves as a crucial hub for major Indian carriers, hosting approximately 80 airlines across three active passenger terminals and a dedicated cargo terminal.
In 2024, IGI Airport achieved global recognition by ranking as the 9th busiest airport worldwide, solidifying its position as India’s premier aviation gateway.
Recently, GMR Airports Infrastructure Limited has signed an agreement with Fraport AG to purchase its 10% stake in Delhi International Airport for $126 million. This acquisition increases GMR’s equity stake in the airport to 74%, while the Airports Authority of India (AAI) retains the remaining 26%.
Featured Image by Sandeep | atc spotter | Instagram
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
