Delhi Airport’s strategic rise as a preferred East–West layover is reshaping long-haul travel, linking South Asia to North America and Europe with seamless regional transfers.
Delhi International Airport (DIAL), operated by the GMR Aero-led consortium, has recorded a whopping 244 per cent rise in international-to-international (I-to-I) transfer traffic over the past two years, positioning it among Asia’s fastest-growing transit hubs, a whitepaper released by the group’s aviation business arm GMR Aero has said.
According to IATA data, I-to-I transfers jumped from 388,000 passengers in FY2023 to 1.34 million in FY2025, driven by expanded route networks, improved infrastructure, and passenger-friendly services.
Delhi Airport now offers enhanced direct connectivity to North America and Europe from South and Southeast Asia, making it a preferred layover point for long-haul travellers. Its strategic location on the East–West corridor has enabled seamless transfers across regions, with early success seen on the Central Asia-Thailand route.
Round-trip launches connecting Bangkok and Phuket with Almaty, Tashkent, Tbilisi, and Baku by the Gurugram-based carrier IndiGo have triggered a nearly 500 per cent increase in I-to-I transfers via these corridors.
The airport’s overall transfer traffic also rose from 15.6 million in FY2023 to 20.3 million in FY2025, a 30.6 per cent increase. Domestic-to-domestic transfers grew by 15.9 per cent, reaching 10.5 million passengers. These figures reflect the airport’s growing role in connecting both domestic and international segments.
Transit Overhaul
To support this growth, Delhi Airport has invested heavily in transit infrastructure. The Phase 3A expansion doubled the I-to-I transfer zone, adding frisking booths, X-ray machines, and new F&B and retail outlets. Dedicated meet-and-assist services, buggy support, and optional lounge access have made connections smoother for transiting passengers. Terminal 3 now features nap pods, shower facilities, and the Holiday Inn Express transit hotel, offering overnight comfort for layover travellers.
Digital navigation tools, including real-image terminal maps accessible via QR codes, help passengers locate transfer desks, gates, and baggage areas with ease. Metro connectivity via the Airport Express and Magenta lines, along with free inter-terminal shuttle buses, ensures rapid movement across terminals and into central Delhi.
Cultural programming under DEL Vibes at Terminal 3 adds a local touch to the transit experience, with live classical music, dance, and crafts running daily. Biometric kiosks for e-visa holders and colour-coded signage further streamline the journey.
Delhi Airport is now the only Indian airport ranked among the top ten hub airports in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions, according to the 2024 Air Connectivity Ranking by Airports Council International (ACI APAC & MID). With leading Indian air carriers Air India and IndiGo set to expand widebody operations, Delhi’s role as a global transit gateway is expected to grow even stronger in the years ahead.