Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport has touched a new milestone becoming India’s first aviation hub connecting 150 destinations worldwide. This historic milestone positions the airport among Asia’s leading aviation centers, significantly enhancing India’s global connectivity. The achievement marks a transformative moment for Indian aviation, establishing Delhi as a major international transit point. Passenger options now span across states & continents, connecting major cities through direct or connecting flights and strategic routes. The expanded network strengthens India’s position in global air travel, creating new opportunities for tourism, trade, and economic growth.
Historic Achievement in Indian Aviation
A momentous achievement unfolded on December 16, 2024, with the launch of Thai AirAsia X’s direct flight to Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport. The new route is operated by Airbus A330 aircraft and started with bi-weekly flights. The frequency is expected to increase to four weekly flights by mid-January 2025.
Breaking the 150 Destination Barrier
The airport now connects to an extensive network comprising:
- 80 domestic destinations (75 non-stop and 5 one-stop with the same flight number service)
- 70 international destinations (40 are in Asia, 16 in Europe (including UK), 8 in America, 4 in Africa, and 2 in Australia)
In addition, the airport has expanded its passenger travel options by adding more than 20 exclusive foreign destinations, such as Phnom Penh, Bali Denpasar, Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver, Washington Dulles, Chicago O’Hare, and Tokyo Haneda.
The airport currently handles approximately 1,400 flight movements daily.. Moreover, the past decade has witnessed a remarkable 100% increase in transfer passengers, establishing Delhi as South Asia’s leading transit hub.
Key performance metrics demonstrate the airport’s dominance:
- 88% of India’s long-haul destinations are connected through Delhi
- 56% of all long-haul weekly flights from India operate from Delhi
- 42% of long-haul passengers from India choose Delhi as their gateway
Modern Terminal Facilities
Terminal 3, the largest facility, spans 5.4 million square feet and serves both international and domestic flights. The recently expanded Terminal 1 has notably increased its capacity from 17 million to 40 million passengers annually. Currently, the terminal infrastructure includes:
| Terminal | Capacity (Annual) | Type of Operations |
| T1 | 40 million | Domestic |
| T2 | 15 million | Domestic |
| T3 | 40 million | International & Domestic |
Conclusion
Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport’s achievement of connecting 150 destinations marks a defining moment in Indian aviation history. The airport’s strategic expansion through modern infrastructure, including the elevated expressway and automated people mover, positions it as a world-class facility. Therefore, its annual handling capacity of 73.7 million passengers demonstrates substantial growth potential.