Delhi Airport Witnessed 244% Surge In I-to-I Transfers
This increase is due to I-to-I segment growth jump from 3,88,000 in FY 2023 to 1.34 million in FY 2025 and the spike outpaces the overall transfer traffic growth, making Delhi a preferred hub for connecting long‑haul routes, said Delhi Airport operator Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL)
New Delhi: Delhi airport has emerged as a preferred transit hub with 244% surge in international-to-international (I-to-I) transfers, according to latest International Air Transport Association (IATA) data.
This increase is due to I-to-I segment growth jump from 3,88,000 in FY 2023 to 1.34 million in FY 2025 and the spike outpaces the overall transfer traffic growth, making Delhi a preferred hub for connecting long‑haul routes, said Delhi Airport operator Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL).
DIAL added that Delhi airport stands out as the best directly connected airport to North America and Europe in South and Southeast Asia, offering unmatched global accessibility for passengers traveling through or to India. 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, DIAL said.
“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. 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 current surge in transfer passenger traffic is a strong indicator of this growth trajectory, signalling substantial opportunities in the years ahead,” DIAL said.
The catalysts behind the growth are the fact Delhi became Central Asia–Thailand corridor after IndiGo launched round trips connecting Bangkok and Phuket with Almaty, Tashkent, Tbilisi and Baku, triggering an approximate 500% increase in I‑to-I transfers via these routes.
“Delhi Airport, with seamless connectivity to around 150 destinations worldwide, is the only Indian airport to be among the 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 (ACI APAC & MID) recently.
