
Delhi Airport is rapidly carving out its place as a premier international transit gateway, emerging as one of the fastest-growing hubs for passengers connecting between international flights. According to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported by GMR Aero and Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), transfers between international flights at the airport skyrocketed by an astonishing 244% in just two years—from 3.88 lakh passengers in FY 2023 to an impressive 13.4 lakh in FY 2025.
This explosive growth underlines Delhi’s rising prominence on the global aviation map. The airport now boasts the strongest direct connectivity to North America and Europe among airports in South and Southeast Asia, thanks in large part to its strategic location along the vital East–West corridor. This makes it a natural and convenient stopover for long-haul travelers transiting between continents.
Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO of DIAL, emphasized the significance of this milestone: “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.”
The airport’s overall transfer traffic also showed solid growth, reaching 2.03 crore passengers in FY 2025—a 30.6% increase from FY 2023. Domestic-to-domestic transfers grew steadily as well, rising 15.9% to 1.05 crore passengers over the same period. A notable driver of this boom has been airline route expansion—IndiGo’s new services linking Bangkok and Phuket to Central Asian cities like Almaty, Tashkent, Tbilisi, and Baku fueled nearly 500% growth on the Central Asia-Thailand corridor.
With both Air India and IndiGo planning to add more wide-body aircraft and launch new routes, the surge in transfer passengers is expected to accelerate even further.
Delhi Airport’s ability to handle the surging transfer volume owes much to its robust infrastructure development and passenger-centric services under the ambitious Phase 3A expansion project.
The specialized International-to-International transfer zone has nearly doubled in size, featuring additional frisking booths, X-ray machines, food and beverage outlets, and retail shops, enabling quicker and smoother transit for international passengers. Dedicated transfer desks, buggy services inside Terminal 3, porter assistance, and optional lounge access all enhance passenger convenience for seamless onward connections.
Exclusive lounges like Encalm Privé at Terminal 3 arrivals offer travelers the chance to rest, refresh, and recharge with power naps, showers, and refreshments. The Holiday Inn Express within Terminal 3’s International wing provides comfortable overnight accommodations equipped with blackout shades, mini-bar, climate control, television, and bedding—perfect for long layovers.
Real-image terminal maps accessible via QR codes at Terminals 1 and 3 guide travelers efficiently to transfer desks, boarding gates, and baggage areas. Delhi’s Airport Express (Orange Line) and Magenta Line link terminals with central Delhi, supported by metro stations at Terminals 1 and 3 and Aerocity. Free shuttle buses operate every 10 minutes between terminals for added ease.
Passenger experience is further enhanced by the “DEL Vibes” cultural program at Terminal 3, which offers live classical music, dance, and crafts daily, while biometric kiosks expedite e-visa processing. Color-coded signage simplifies navigation, further easing transfers.
With its 244% spike in international-to-international transfers, Delhi Airport stands out as a reliable and attractive choice for transit passengers worldwide. Backed by extensive route networks, strategic airline partnerships, and integrated passenger services, it is connecting India more closely to the world than ever before.
Serving approximately 150 global destinations, Delhi Airport is the sole Indian airport ranked among the top 10 hub airports in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region, as per Airports Council International Asia-Pacific & Middle East’s 2024 Air Connectivity Ranking.
As investments in infrastructure continue and airline expansions gather pace, Delhi Airport is well on its way to becoming a truly world-class transit gateway—uniting continents and cultures through seamless travel experiences.