Busiest Airports in India: Top Rankings, Passenger Traffic Stats & Key Facts Revealed

The busiest airports in India play a vital role in connecting millions of passengers across the country and around the world. India is home to some of the world's busiest airports, handling record-breaking passenger traffic year after year.

In the 2024 financial year, 376.4 million passengers traveled through Indian airports, marking a 15% increase from the previous year and surpassing pre-COVID levels by 10%.

These major aviation hubs serve as key gateways for both domestic and international travel, supporting tourism, trade, and business growth.

In this article, we'll explore the busiest airports in India, their significance, and the number of passengers they handle.

In early 2025, India's aviation sector continued its rapid expansion, with major airports witnessing a surge in passenger traffic.

For B2B travel professionals, understanding these trends can help improve planning, optimize travel solutions, and better meet client requirements.

Air traffic in India has grown significantly since the pandemic, and by 2030, the country is expected to become the world's largest passenger traffic market, overtaking China and the United States.

IndiGo currently leads the Indian aviation market with the largest market share, followed by Air India, Vistara, SpiceJet, and Go First.

Let's take a look at the busiest airports in India and what makes them critical to the nation's aviation network.

Busiest Airports in India: Key Facts You Must Know

Here is the list of busiest airports in India.

1. Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi

• Indira Gandhi International Airport is the busiest airport in India and Asia, handling around 65.5 million passengers every year.
• It serves Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region.
• The airport has three terminals for domestic and international flights, plus a cargo terminal.
• After Terminal 3 opened, the airport’s capacity increased to 34 million passengers a year, making it the largest aviation hub in South Asia.
• The Airports Council International regularly lists Indira Gandhi International Airport as one of the world’s busiest.
• It is a main hub for airlines like Air India, Alliance Air, FedEx Express, Quikjet Airlines, and Vistara.

2. Dabolim Airport, Goa

• Until 1961, it was the main hub for the local airline TAIP (Transportes Aéreos da Índia Portuguesa), which offered regular flights to Daman & Diu, Karachi, Mozambique, Timor, and other destinations.
• In 1962, the Indian Navy's air wing took over the airport after Major General K.P.
• Candeth, who led the military operation into Goa, handed it to the Navy before stepping down as military governor.
• That June, a Lieutenant Governor became the head of the Union Territory of Goa.
• Dabolim Airport is one of  the busiest airports in India, with 8.5 million passengers in 2023-24.
• It serves Panaji, the capital of Goa. After the new Manohar International Airport opened in the state, Dabolim saw fewer passengers.
• Dabolim Airport is an important hub for both AIX Connect and IndiGo.
• Goa airport was built in the 1950s on 249 acres by the government of Estado da Índia Portuguesa.

3. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai

• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport  in India for both domestic and international travel, and it ranks 25th in the world.
• Each year, over 52 million people pass through the airport. It serves the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and can be reached easily from other parts of Mumbai using the six-lane Western Express Highway.
• Adani Enterprises owns 74 percent of the airport, while the Airport Authority of India owns the remaining 26 percent.
• Mumbai Airport covers 1,500 acres and has two terminals. One terminal handles domestic flights, and the other is for international flights.
• The airport offers international flights to every inhabited continent.

4. Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru

• Listed among  the  busiest airports in India, Kempegowda International Airport ranks 56th worldwide. It serves Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, and covers 4,000 acres.
• Airlines such as Air India, Air India Express, AIX Connect, Akasa Air, DHL Aviation, FedEx Express, and Vistara use it as a hub.
• In 2023-24, Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru served over 37.5 million passengers and handled around 439,495 tonnes of cargo.
• The airport has connecting flights to all six inhabited continents and direct flights to five.

5. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad

• Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad is known to be the largest airport in India.
• In 2023-24, over 25 million passengers passed through its gates, and it managed about 150,000 tonnes of cargo.
• As India’s first greenfield airport, it operates through a Public-Private Partnership and has both passenger and cargo terminals along with two runways.
• The airport spans 5,500 acres, making it the largest in India.
• It is a main hub for airlines like Amazon Air, Air India Express, Alliance Air, Blue Dart Aviation, IndiGo, Star India, and Vistara.

6. Pune Airport, Pune

• Pune Airport ranks serves the city of Pune in Maharashtra. In 2023-24, more than 9.5 million passengers used the airport.
• The Indian Air Force and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) manage its operations.
• Pune Airport is an important hub for IndiGo, offering both domestic and international flights.

7. Chennai International Airport, Chennai

• Chennai International Airport is the main airport for Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, is also the busiest international airport in India.
• Each year, over 21 million people pass through its terminals. Travelers can get to the airport easily using the Chennai Metro's airport station or the Tirusulam railway station.
• The airport is a major hub for Air India, SpiceJet, and Blue Dart Aviation.
• The airport has two terminals: one for domestic flights and another for international passengers. It also includes an air cargo complex.
• Since the airport is expected to reach full capacity by 2035, a new greenfield airport is planned for the southern area of Chennai.part of Chennai.

8. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata

• Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport ranks among the busiest airports in India.
• Located in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, it is the main aviation hub for eastern and northeastern India. Around 20 million passengers use the airport every year.
• Several major airlines operate from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, including Air India, AIX Connect, SpiceJet, Alliance Air, and IndiGo.

9. Cochin International Airport, Kochi

• Located in Kochi, Kerala, Cochin International Airport, also called Nedumbassery Airport, is among the busiest airports in India, serving the southwest region.
• In 2023-24, more than 10.3 million passengers traveled through the airport, making it the third busiest in India for international flights.
• Cochin International Airport is a major hub for airlines such as IndiGo, Air India Express, and SpiceJet.
• The airport operator operates under a Private-Public Partnership (PPP) model.

10. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Gujarat

• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport serves both Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar in Gujarat.
• It has two terminals, a cargo terminal, and a runway. In 2023-24, more than 11 million passengers traveled through the airport, making it the largest and busiest in Gujarat.
• The design of the new terminal takes inspiration from Singapore Changi Airport.
• Ahmedabad Airport is an important hub for airlines like Air India and IndiGo. The airport is starting the process of privatisation.
• Because there is not much room to expand, a new airport called Dholera International Airport is being planned.

India's Aviation Boom: What Lies Ahead

• India’s aviation industry is expanding rapidly and is now the country’s fastest-growing sector.
• By 2028, its revenue is expected to reach US$ 2.4 billion, which is three times the projected FY28 figure.
• According to a report from IBEF, India will need over 2,800 new commercial aircraft in the next 20 years.

Bottom Line

Busiest airports in India are a testament to the country's growing air connectivity and expanding role in global aviation.

From major international gateways like Delhi and Mumbai to rapidly developing regional hubs in Kerala and South India, these airports play a crucial role in connecting travelers, businesses, and economies across borders.

As international travel demand continues to rise, these airports are expected to witness further growth through infrastructure expansion, enhanced passenger services, and increased flight connectivity.

Their continued development is helping transform India into one of the world's largest and fastest-growing aviation markets.