Delhi’s IGI airport ranks among top 10 hub airports in Asia-Pacific and Middle East

NEW DELHI: Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport has earned distinction as the one Indian airport ranked among the top 10 hub airports in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East area, based on the 2024 Air Connectivity Ranking launched by Airports Council International (ACI) for Asia-Pacific (APAC) and Middle East (MID).Dubai International Airport leads the rankings, whereas Delhi Airport stands out for its strong connectivity to 153 locations worldwide- comprising 81 home and 72 worldwide routes.This milestone aligns with the Indian Government’s imaginative and prescient to ascertain Delhi as a world transit hub.Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO of Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), mentioned, (*10*)“Being the only Indian airport to achieve this distinction is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and passenger-centric service. Together, we will continue to enhance connectivity, improve passenger experience, and uphold our position as a premier gateway connecting India to the world,” he added.Delhi Airport has undertaken significant infrastructure enhancements under its Phase 3A expansion, which has doubled the international-to-international transfer area, boosting both capacity and passenger convenience. Recent upgrades also include the installation of biometric registration kiosks for e-visa holders, streamlining immigration and transit processes.The airport has broadened its international footprint by adding over 20 exclusive destinations in recent years. New routes include Phnom Penh, Bali Denpasar, Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver, Washington Dulles, Chicago O’Hare, and Tokyo Haneda, among others.Transfer passenger volumes at Delhi Airport have doubled over the past decade, solidifying its position as South Asia’s primary transit hub. The airport currently handles 88 per cent of India’s long-haul destinations and 56 per cent of India-origin long-haul weekly flights. Furthermore, 42 per cent of Indian long-haul travellers choose Delhi as their departure point. Each year, the airport facilitates 4 million domestic-to-international transfer passengers.According to the airport operator, “With Indian carriers increasingly deploying wide-body aircraft, Delhi Airport is on track to become a global gateway hub, strengthening its role as the preferred gateway for international and long-haul travellers.”The 2025 ACI rankings introduced a new ‘Hub Connectivity Index’ which evaluates hub airports based on the quality and efficiency of their operations. Key metrics include transfer viability and timing windows, route deviations from optimal paths, and the strength and reach of onward connectivity.Dubai International Airport secured the top spot in the Hub Connectivity Index, followed by Shanghai Pudong and Hamad International Airport. Delhi Airport ranked tenth, marking a significant achievement for India’s aviation landscape.