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Delhi secured the 10th spot in the ACI (APAC &MID) hub connectivity index

Only Indian airport to figure in the list, which indicates DEL’s growing stature as a global transit hub

New Delhi, 28 May 2025: Delhi Airport (DEL), operated by the GMR Aero led Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), is the only Indian airport to be among  top 10 hub airports  in the Asia Pacific and Middle East region, according to the  2024 Air Connectivity Ranking  released by Airports Council International Asia Pacific & Middle East.

The ranking, topped by Dubai International Airport, recognises Delhi Airport's growing stature as a global transit hub, with seamless connectivity to 153 destinations worldwide, including  81 domestic  and  72 international  routes. It is also in line with the Government of India’s endeavour to develop Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport as a global transit hub.

Speaking on the occasion,  CEO DIAL, Mr Videh Kumar Jaipuriar  said, “We are immensely proud and honored that Delhi Airport has been recognized as one of the top 10 hub airports in the Asia Pacific and Middle East region in the 2024 Air Connectivity Ranking by Airports Council International. Being the only Indian airport to achieve this distinction is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and passenger centric service.

This achievement would not have been possible without the relentless dedication and hard work of our entire team at DIAL, whose passion and professionalism continue to drive us forward every day. I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to our airline partners, government authorities, and all stakeholders who have collaborated with us in our journey to transform Delhi Airport into a world class aviation hub.

Together, we will continue to enhance connectivity, improve passenger experience, and uphold our position as a premier gateway connecting India to the world."

Delhi Airport’s state of the art infrastructure, passenger centric facilities, and efficient transfer processes have played a pivotal role in its success, making it a benchmark for excellence in the aviation industry.

Under its ambitious Phase 3A expansion project, DIAL has successfully doubled the International to International transfer area, enhancing capacity and passenger convenience. New  biometric registration kiosks  for evisa holders are among several recent upgrades designed to streamline the travel experience.

Delhi Airport emerges as a Gateway to the World:

  • Expanding International Reach: Delhi Airport has significantly broadened its global footprint by adding over 20 exclusive international destinations in recent years. New routes include Phnom Penh, Bali Denpasar, Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver, Washington Dulles, Chicago O’Hare, Tokyo Haneda, and more.
  • Transfer Passenger Growth: Over the past decade, transfer passenger volume has doubled, underscoring Delhi Airport’s emergence as a premier transit hub in South Asia.
  • Top Choice for Long-Haul Travel: Delhi connects to 88% of India’s long haul destinations and operates 56% of all India origin long-haul weekly flights. Nearly half (42%) of all long haul passengers from India choose Delhi as their travel gateway.
  • Leader in Domestic-International Connectivity: Each year, Delhi Airport facilitates seamless connections for 4 million domestic passengers traveling onward to international destinations.

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 travelers.

The airport continues to be a benchmark in operational excellence:

  • Best Airport (over 40 million passengers per annum) in AsiaPacific, 7th consecutive win
  • Best Airport in India and South Asia
  • Improved global ranking: Now 32nd in 2025, up from 36th in 2024
  • 9th busiest airport in the world (2024), advancing from 10th position in 2023

The 2025 edition of the ACI rankings introduced a 'Hub Connectivity Index', which evaluates airports on the  quality and effectiveness of their hub operations.  The index considers factors such as:

  • Transfer viability and window timings
  • Route deviations from optimal paths
  • Strength and reach of onward connectivity

Dubai International Airport leads this year’s Hub Connectivity Index, followed by Shanghai Pudong and Hamad International Airports. Delhi Airport has secured the 10th spot.

Developed in collaboration with PwC in 2023, the ACI Air Connectivity Index is a comprehensive, passenger centric tool that evaluates performance across three core dimensions:

  1. Network scale and frequency
  2. Economic weight of connected destinations
  3. Connection quality and efficiency

The 2025 edition highlights a strong rebound in the region’s aviation landscape:

  • Asia Pacific saw a 13% increase in overall connectivity year on year
  • Middle East posted a 28% growth, outpacing all post COVID forecasts
  • Regional average growth stood at 14%, underscoring the sector’s resilience and adaptability

For further information about GMR Group, visit www.gmrgroup.com

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For Further Information, please contact:

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  • Subhendu Ray
  • Sarvottamjee Jaipuriar
  • Head - Media Relations
  • Manager - Media Relations

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