By Kavita Mistry 
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, managed by the GMR Aero-led Delhi International Airport, continues to consolidate its position as India’s foremost global aviation hub. In the 12-month period from September 2024 to August 2025, the airport handled over 670,000 East–West–East transit passengers, representing a 34 per cent increase from the previous year’s 498,000.
According to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Air India accounted for 67 per cent of East–West transfer traffic, followed by IndiGo with 25 per cent , highlighting Delhi’s growing importance as a key transit gateway for both Indian carriers. Together, Air India and IndiGo manage over 90 per cent of total passenger traffic through Delhi Airport.
“Delhi Airport continues to strengthen India’s position on the global aviation map,” said Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO, DIAL. “The sharp rise in East–West passenger flows underscores our growing relevance as a transfer hub connecting Asia and Europe. We remain focused on expanding connectivity, enhancing convenience, and offering greater choice for international travellers.”
The airport has further reinforced its connectivity to Southeast Asia with new and expanded routes, including Air India’s increased frequencies to Kuala Lumpur and Denpasar (Bali), IndiGo’s new daily flights to Hanoi and Guangzhou, and the launch of Delhi–Krabi services in October 2025. From January 2026, Japan Airlines will introduce a daily Delhi–Tokyo Narita service, making Delhi the only Indian airport connected to both Haneda and Narita.
On the western front, Delhi Airport maintains the widest connectivity to the UK, commanding a 38 per cent share of India–UK flights, with routes to London Heathrow, Birmingham, and Manchester. IndiGo will also debut its first long-haul international flight, Delhi–Manchester, on 15 November 2025 using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
With its strategic location, robust route network, and state-of-the-art facilities, Delhi Airport continues to emerge as the region’s premier international transit hub — seamlessly connecting passengers from the East to the West.
