New Delhi, May 28, 2025: Delhi Airport (DEL), operated by the GMR Aero-led Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), is the only Indian airport to be among 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).

The ranking, topped by Dubai International Airport, recognizes Delhi Airport’s growing stature as a global transit hub, with seamless connectivity to 153 destinations worldwide, including 81 domestic and 72 international routes. It is also in line with the Government of India’s endeavour to develop Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport as a global transit hub.

Speaking on the occasion, CEO-DIAL, Mr Videh Kumar Jaipuriar said, “We are immensely proud and honored that Delhi Airport has been recognized as one of the top 10 hub airports in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region in the 2024 Air Connectivity Ranking by Airports Council International. Being the only Indian airport to achieve this distinction is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and passenger-centric service.

This achievement would not have been possible without the relentless dedication and hard work of our entire team at DIAL, whose passion and professionalism continue to drive us forward every day. I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to our airline partners, government authorities, and all stakeholders who have collaborated with us in our journey to transform Delhi Airport into a world-class aviation hub.

Together, we will continue to enhance connectivity, improve passenger experience, and uphold our position as a premier gateway connecting India to the world.”

Delhi Airport’s state-of-the-art infrastructure, passenger-centric facilities, and efficient transfer processes have played a pivotal role in its success, making it a benchmark for excellence in the aviation industry.

Under its ambitious Phase 3A expansion project, DIAL has successfully doubled the International-to-International transfer area, enhancing capacity and passenger convenience. New biometric registration kiosks for e-visa holders are among several recent upgrades designed to streamline the travel experience.

Delhi Airport emerges as a Gateway to the World:

• Expanding International Reach: Delhi Airport has significantly broadened its global footprint by adding over 20 exclusive international destinations in recent years. New routes include Phnom Penh, Bali Denpasar, Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver, Washington Dulles, Chicago O’Hare, Tokyo Haneda, and more.
   
• Transfer Passenger Growth: Over the past decade, transfer passenger volume has doubled, underscoring Delhi Airport’s emergence as a premier transit hub in South Asia.
   
• Top Choice for Long-Haul Travel: Delhi connects to 88% of India’s long-haul destinations and operates 56% of all India-origin long-haul weekly flights. Nearly half (42%) of all long-haul passengers from India choose Delhi as their travel gateway.
   
• Leader in Domestic-International Connectivity: Each year, Delhi Airport facilitates seamless connections for 4 million domestic passengers traveling onward to international destinations.

With Indian carriers increasingly deploying wide-body aircraft, Delhi Airport is on track to become a Global gateway hub, strengthening its role as the preferred gateway for international and long-haul travelers.

The airport continues to be a benchmark in operational excellence:

• Best Airport (over 40 million passengers per annum) in Asia-Pacific – 7th consecutive win
   
• Best Airport in India and South Asia
   
• Improved global ranking: Now 32nd in 2025, up from 36th in 2024
   
• 9th busiest airport in the world (2024), advancing from 10th position in 2023

The 2025 edition of the ACI rankings introduced a 'Hub Connectivity Index', which evaluates airports on the quality and effectiveness of their hub operations. The index considers factors such as:

• Transfer viability and window timings
   
• Route deviations from optimal paths
   
• Strength and reach of onward connectivity

Dubai International Airport leads this year’s Hub Connectivity Index, followed by Shanghai Pudong and Hamad International Airports. Delhi Airport has secured the 10th spot.

Developed in collaboration with PwC in 2023, the ACI Air Connectivity Index is a comprehensive, passenger-centric tool that evaluates performance across three core dimensions:

1. Network scale and frequency
    
2. Economic weight of connected destinations
    
3. Connection quality and efficiency

The 2025 edition highlights a strong rebound in the region’s aviation landscape:

• Asia-Pacific saw a 13% increase in overall connectivity year-on-year
   
• Middle East posted a 28% growth, outpacing all post-COVID forecasts
   
• Regional average growth stood at 14%, underscoring the sector’s resilience and adaptability

About GMR Airports Limited (Formerly GMR Airports Infrastructure Limited)

GMR Airports Limited (GAL) is a leading global airport platform company with over two decades of experience in designing, constructing, and operating world-class sustainable airports. Under the brand name “GMR AERO”, it offers pioneering aviation solutions in retail, aero services, and real estate. Groupe ADP joined the journey in 2020 as a strategic partner and is now a co-promoter in GAL.

As a platform business, GAL also provides a range of aero services including Duty Free, Retail, F&B, Cargo, Car Parking, O&M, and PMC services. Through its innovative Aerotropolis concept, it develops cutting-edge airport cities giving shape to best-in-class real estate developments in South Asia. GAL operates India's largest third-party Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility through its subsidiary, GMR Air Cargo and Aerospace Engineering Limited ensuring operational excellence across the Asia Pacific region.

GMR Innovex, a GMR Group entity, is developing and introducing a range of digital solutions to enhance the passenger journey and airport experience. Through GMR Aero Academy and GMR School of Aviation, the company is creating the talent pool necessary to drive the growth of the aviation sector in India (the third largest in the world).

As the largest private airport operator in Asia and the second-largest globally, GAL served over 120 million passengers in FY25 with a steadfast commitment to excellence in airport management as reflected in its consistent rankings for services by ACI and Skytrax. With a robust presence in India and Southeast Asia, the company operates key gateways such as Delhi, Hyderabad, Goa, and Medan airports, while extending its technical services to Mactan Cebu International Airport in the Philippines. GAL is also developing transformative projects like the greenfield airports in Bhogapuram (Visakhapatnam), India, and Crete, Greece.

GMR Group, the promoter of GAL has a significant presence in Energy, Transportation, Urban Infrastructure, and Sports. Through its CSR arm, GMR Varalakshmi Foundation, GMR supports local communities, reflecting its commitment to improving quality of life by enhancing skills, providing education, and developing healthcare infrastructure and services.

Groupe ADP develops and manages airports, including Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly, and Paris-Le Bourget. In 2024, the group handled through its brand Paris Aéroport 103.4 million passengers at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly, and nearly 363.7 million passengers in airports in France and abroad. Boasting an exceptional geographic location and a major catchment area, the Group is pursuing its strategy of adapting and modernizing its terminal facilities and upgrading the quality of services; the Group also intends to develop its retail and real estate businesses. In 2024, group revenue stood at €6,158 million and net income at €342 million.

For further information about GMR Group, visit http://www.gmrgroup.in

For further details, please contact:

Subhendu Ray
Corporate Communications
Email: subhendu.ray@gmrgroup.in
Mobile: 9971544011

Sarvottamjee M Jaipuriar
Corporate Communications
Email: sarvottamjee.jaipuriar@gmrgroup.in
Phone: 9818389621