(DELHI) Indira Gandhi International Airport has joined the global “100-million-plus club,” reaching an annual passenger-handling capacity of 109 million and placing among the world’s top six airports as of August 18, 2025. Delhi is the only Asian airport in this elite tier apart from Tokyo Haneda, a position earned after the full opening of Terminal 1 in May 2023 and driven by India’s fast-growing air travel market.
The operator, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL)—a consortium led by GMR Group (64%), Fraport (10%), and Airports Authority of India (26%)—confirmed the capacity milestone at the close of 2024. The scale-up pushes Delhi into league with Atlanta and Dubai and supports India’s pivot toward long-haul traffic. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the capacity lift and hub strategy are reshaping routing choices for travelers across South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Delhi’s rapid climb is visible in several rankings. The airport stands at 32nd in the 2025 Skytrax World Airport Awards and is among the top 10 busiest global airports by seat capacity as of February 2025. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has pointed to a decade of expansion across the sector, citing 88 new airports added and roughly 60 extra flights every hour nationwide. That network now spans 162 airports, including heliports and water aerodromes, underscoring how India’s domestic footprint feeds Delhi’s international reach.
Capacity milestone and global role
India’s aviation system handled an estimated 412 million passengers in 2024–25, split between 77 million international and 335 million domestic travelers—up 9% year-on-year. This surging demand is why Delhi’s capacity growth matters beyond bragging rights.
As the country’s primary long-haul gateway, the airport now handles:
- 88% of India’s long-haul destinations
- 56% of weekly long-haul flights
This makes Delhi the natural choice for travelers booking to North America, Europe, and Australia.
Delhi’s transfer traffic has doubled over the past decade, reflecting its role as South Asia’s leading transit hub. Industry analysts link this to India’s broader infrastructure play—PM GatiShakti, the National Logistics Policy, Bharatmala, Sagarmala, and the UDAN scheme—arguing that coordinated investments on the ground have helped airlines add capacity in the sky.
- The RCS-UDAN program alone has:
- Opened 637 routes
- Connected 92 underserved airports
- Carried more than 15.1 million passengers since 2016
Inside the airport, Terminal 1 now handles up to 40 million travelers annually. Planned projects include:
- Rebuild of Terminal 2 (modernization pending government clearance)
- Long-term development of Terminals 4, 5, and 6
- A new cargo building to support freight growth from Indian exporters and global e-commerce
DIAL says Terminal 2’s modernization awaits government approval, with phased construction expected after clearances.
While infrastructure has grown, passenger experience still defines Delhi’s global reputation. The airport now connects a record 150 destinations, with quicker transfers and more wide-body aircraft from Indian carriers.
“The 150-destination milestone shows a focus on stronger global links and reliable service,” said DIAL’s chief executive, Videh Kumar Jaipuriar.
As more nonstop routes launch, Delhi is acting as a “super-connector,” cutting total travel time for international fliers, especially those heading to secondary Indian cities via one stop.
What travelers and airlines can expect
Bigger capacity brings more flight choices and often better fares due to competition—but it also increases the importance of planning during peak times. Passengers connecting through Delhi should allow extra time for immigration, security, and terminal transfers, particularly when moving between domestic and international flights.
Key points international passengers should note:
- Visa and entry: Many nationalities can apply for India’s e-Visa online. Apply early and carry a printout of the Electronic Travel Authorization. The official e-Visa application form is available at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/.
- Peak hours: Early morning and late-night long-haul banks can be busy—keep buffer time for queues and terminal changes.
- Connections: Check whether inbound and outbound flights use the same terminal. If not, follow airport signs for transfers and confirm minimum connection times with your airline.
- Baggage: On separate tickets, plan to clear immigration and recheck bags. On a single ticket, bags usually transfer automatically—verify with your carrier.
- Special assistance: Request wheelchair or meet-and-assist services through your airline in advance.
For official policy updates, travelers and industry stakeholders can consult the Ministry of Civil Aviation at https://www.civilaviation.gov.in. The ministry publishes notices, capacity plans, and market data that shape airline schedules and airport expansion timelines.
Airlines gain options as well. With 109 million annual capacity, Delhi offers space for:
- Additional wide-body operations
- Fifth-freedom traffic opportunities
- Point-to-point long-haul services that reduce reliance on other hubs
The induction of new long-haul aircraft by Indian carriers is already shifting itineraries that once funneled through other hubs—favoring stronger onward connections to Tier-2 and Tier-3 Indian cities.
The government’s broader agenda—consistent policy and modern terminals—reduces risk for airlines planning where to place new aircraft. For workers (ground staff, security, cabin crew), the growth translates into jobs and training needs, from aircraft maintenance to digital systems that cut wait times at checkpoints.
Passengers will see changes as new projects come online:
- Terminal 2 redevelopment — pending approval; phased construction to manage operations
- Future terminals (T4–T6) — long-term plan to move all international flights to new blocks; Terminal 3 becomes domestic-only
- Cargo expansion — modern facility to speed customs and build capacity for pharma, electronics, and express parcels
DIAL emphasizes steady, predictable growth rather than quick fixes—important for both travelers who depend on reliable schedules and airlines that plan capacity seasons ahead.
The bigger picture and outlook
The wider Indian aviation landscape reinforces Delhi’s gains. With 412 million passengers in 2024–25 and a 9% year-on-year rise, the market’s center of gravity is shifting.
- India’s domestic network feeds Delhi’s long-haul growth
- Delhi’s long-haul growth, in turn, pulls more domestic connections into the system
That loop is why the 100-million-plus club milestone matters: it signals that infrastructure can carry the load as traffic climbs.
Looking ahead, Terminal 2’s modernization and future terminals could push Delhi’s capacity well beyond 109 million. If projects receive timely approvals and crews keep pace, analysts say Delhi could challenge the world’s busiest airports in the coming years.
For the millions who pass through every month—students, workers, families reuniting—those extra gates and smoother transfers will be felt not in headlines but in:
- Shorter queues
- More direct flights
- A better chance of making connections home
These are the practical benefits that will matter day to day for travelers and airlines alike.
This Article in a Nutshell
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Airport joined the 100‑million club at 109 million passengers, reshaping long‑haul routes. Terminal 1 expansion unlocked capacity, doubling transfer traffic and attracting wide‑body services. Ongoing Terminal 2 modernization and future terminals aim to boost connectivity, cargo growth, and competitive edge for South Asia’s primary international hub.
