NEW DELHI: The Indira Gandhi International Airport has emerged as a preferred transit hub, recording a 244% surge in international to international transfers. The airport has recorded 13.4 lakh transfers for the financial year ending 2025 as compared to 3.88 lakh of fiscal 2023, reveals data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Sharing details, airport operator GMR Aero said in a release, “Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), is marking its arrival as one of the world’s fastest-growing transit hubs.”
The airport is the best directly connected airport to North America and Europe in South and Southeast Asia, offering unmatched global accessibility for passengers travelling through or to India, it pointed out. This strategic connectivity, paired with robust infrastructure and transit-friendly services, is propelling Delhi’s stature as the preferred international layover airport in the region.
“Delhi Airport’s strategic location in the East–West corridor positions it as a pivotal gateway for international connectivity. Early successes, such as the Central Asia–Thailand route, underscore the airport’s growing role in facilitating seamless transfers across regions,” it pointed out.
With Air India and IndiGo preparing to expand operations and introduce additional wide-body aircraft, the potential for new routes and enhanced connectivity is set to accelerate.
"The exponential growth of 244% in International-to-International transfers at Delhi Airport is a strong testament to our emergence as a global transit hub. This achievement is the result of our focused efforts and commitment to providing seamless connectivity, best-in-class infrastructure, and a world-class passenger experience. Aligned with the Government of India's strategic vision to position Delhi as a leading international transit gateway, we have been continuously working to build a hub that connects continents. We are proud to contribute to this national goal and remain committed to providing a seamless and enriching experience for every transiting passenger,” said CEO DIAL Videh Kumar Jaipuriar.
This phenomenal spike in I-I transfers far outpaces the overall transfer traffic growth, making Delhi a preferred hub for connecting long-haul routes.
The total overall transfers rose from 15.6 million in FY23 to 20.3 million in FY25, a 30.6% rise, the release added.