New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), India’s largest, has recorded a substantial 34% year-on-year rise in transit passengers, significantly strengthening its push to become a full-fledged international hub connecting the East and West.
According to data shared by Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), the airport handled over 6.7 lakh (670,000) passengers transiting between Asia and Europe between September 2024 and August 2025. This is up from 4.98 lakh in the preceding year.
Key Growth Indicators:
- Balanced Growth: The surge was nearly even across directions, with East-to-West traffic growing by 34% and West-to-East traffic rising by 35%.
- Competing with Middle East Hubs: This sharp growth highlights Delhi’s increasing relevance as a transfer point for international traffic, a segment historically dominated by major Middle Eastern hubs like Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi.
- Indian Carriers Driving the Surge: Domestic airlines are facilitating a vast majority of this transfer traffic:
- Air India accounted for about two-thirds (67%) of the total East-West transit passengers.
- IndiGo contributed another quarter (25%).
DIAL confirmed that Air India and IndiGo together handle over 90% of the total passenger traffic through Delhi, and the airport operator is actively collaborating with both carriers to enhance global connectivity and cement Delhi’s position as a leading transfer hub.