Busiest Airports in India: Passenger Traffic Rankings (2026)

India’s aviation sector handled over 411 million passengers in FY 2025, a 9% jump from the previous year. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport continues to lead as the busiest airport in the country and now ranks among the top 10 busiest airports globally. Here is a complete breakdown of India’s 10 busiest airports based on the latest passenger traffic data published by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

India’s 10 Busiest Airports: Quick Rankings (FY 2024-25)

1. Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi (DEL / VIDP)

Indira Gandhi International Airport is the busiest airport in India and the primary international gateway to the country. Located in Palam, about 16 km from the city center, the airport has consistently ranked among the top 10 busiest airports globally. OAG ranked it the 8th busiest airport in the world by seat capacity.

Traffic Statistics (FY 2024-25):

The airport operates three passenger terminals. Terminal 1 primarily serves low-cost domestic carriers. Terminal 3 is the largest, handling both domestic and international flights, with 168 check-in counters, 78 aerobridges, 95 immigration counters, and 18 X-ray screening areas.

Delhi has four runways, with the longest (Runway 11R/29L) measuring 4,430 meters, capable of handling aircraft like the Airbus A380. All primary runways are equipped with CAT III ILS, allowing landings in extremely low visibility conditions, which is critical during Delhi’s winter fog season.

International traffic accounts for about 27% of total passenger volume at Delhi, with strong connectivity to the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America.

2. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai (BOM / VABB)

Mumbai’s airport is the second busiest in India, serving the country’s financial capital. In FY 2024-25, the airport crossed 55 million passengers, exceeding its designed capacity of 50 million.

Traffic Statistics (FY 2024-25):

The airport operates two terminals. Terminal 1 (Santacruz) handles domestic flights and Terminal 2 (Sahar) handles both domestic and international operations. A dedicated General Aviation Terminal serves private and non-scheduled flights.
Mumbai has two intersecting runways: Runway 09/27 at 3,445 meters and Runway 14/32 at 2,925 meters. The intersecting layout means the airport cannot run full parallel operations, which contributes to congestion during peak hours. The airport set a record of 1,007 aircraft movements in a single day in December 2018.
Monsoon season (June to September) regularly affects operations at Mumbai due to visibility and runway conditions.

3. Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore (BLR / VOBL)

Bangalore’s Kempegowda International Airport is the third busiest in India and one of the fastest growing, with 11.6% passenger growth in FY 2024-25. The airport serves as the gateway to India’s tech capital and is connected to 104 destinations across 24 countries.

Traffic Statistics (FY 2024-25):

The airport has two parallel runways (09L/27R and 09R/27L), each 4,000 meters long, with CAT II/III ILS capability. Terminal 1 handles domestic flights with capacity for 35 million passengers per year. Terminal 2 (opened recently) adds 25 million passenger capacity with 95 check-in counters, 17 security lanes, and 9 baggage claim belts.
International passenger growth of 25% stands out as one of the highest among major Indian airports, driven by expanding direct connectivity to European, Middle Eastern, and Southeast Asian destinations.

4. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad (HYD / VOHS)

Hyderabad recorded the highest growth rate among India’s top 10 airports at 16.5% in FY 2024-25, driven by strong demand from the IT, pharmaceutical, and corporate sectors. The airport serves 94 destinations in 15 countries.

Traffic Statistics (FY 2024-25):

The expanded passenger terminal has a capacity of 40 million passengers annually, with 44 aero bridges and 10 baggage claim belts. The primary runway (09R/27L) measures 4,260 meters and is A380-capable with ILS. A secondary runway (09L/27R) at 3,707 meters supports additional capacity.
Hyderabad is generally considered one of the more operationally efficient airports among India’s major hubs, with comparatively lower congestion and smoother turnaround times than Delhi or Mumbai.

5. Chennai International Airport (MAA / VOMM)

Chennai International Airport is the primary aviation gateway to southern India, handling over 22 million passengers in FY 2024-25. The airport serves both domestic and international traffic with established customs, immigration, and quarantine facilities.

Traffic Statistics (FY 2024-25):

The airport has three operational passenger terminals. Terminal 1 and Terminal 4 handle domestic flights, while Terminal 2 serves international operations. The primary runway (07/25) is 3,662 meters long with ILS capability. A secondary runway (12/30) at 2,925 meters supports crosswind operations and lighter aircraft.
Chennai handles significant cargo traffic, ranking as one of the top cargo airports in India with over 379,000 tonnes processed in FY 2024-25.

6. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata (CCU / VECC)

Kolkata’s airport serves as the primary aviation hub for eastern India, connecting the region to domestic and international destinations. It crossed the 21 million passenger mark in FY 2024-25.

Traffic Statistics (FY 2024-25):

The airport operates two terminals and serves as a gateway to destinations across Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Growth of 10.3% reflects increasing air travel demand from eastern India and expanding route networks.

7. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad (AMD / VAAH)

Ahmedabad’s airport is the busiest in Gujarat and the seventh busiest in India. It serves as a key connectivity point for western India’s industrial and commercial activities.

Traffic Statistics (FY 2024-25):

With 14.8% growth, Ahmedabad is among the fastest growing major airports in India, benefiting from Gujarat’s strong industrial base and increasing international connectivity.

8. Cochin International Airport, Kochi (COK / VOCI)

Cochin International Airport serves Kerala and is notable as the first airport in the world to operate entirely on solar power. It is a major gateway for international traffic, particularly to the Middle East.

Traffic Statistics (FY 2024-25):

A significant portion of Cochin’s traffic is international, driven by the large Kerala diaspora in Gulf countries. The airport handles direct flights to destinations across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other Middle Eastern countries.

9. Pune Airport (PNQ / VAPO)

Pune Airport is the ninth busiest in India and the second busiest in Maharashtra after Mumbai. It is a customs airport and also functions as an Indian Air Force base (Lohagaon Air Force Station). In FY 2024-25, it crossed the 10 million passenger mark.

Traffic Statistics (FY 2024-25):

The airport has one integrated terminal (NITB) inaugurated in 2024. International flights currently operate to Dubai and Bangkok, with plans to add European destinations (Netherlands and Germany) in mid-2026. A new international airport (Purandar) is planned to replace the current facility in the coming years.

10. Dabolim Airport, Goa (GOI / VOGO)

Dabolim Airport serves as Goa’s primary airport, handling over 7 million passengers in FY 2024-25. It is a dual-use civil-military airport operated by the Indian Navy.

Traffic Statistics (FY 2024-25):

Goa’s aviation landscape is shifting with the opening of Manohar International Airport (GOX) at Mopa, which handled 4.6 million passengers in FY 2024-25 in its first full year of operation. Combined, both Goa airports handled nearly 12 million passengers, which would rank Goa at 5th overall if counted as one market.

Fastest Growing Airports in India

While Delhi leads by total volume, the growth story is driven by different airports. Ranking by year-over-year passenger growth:

Hyderabad’s 16.5% growth is driven by expanding IT and pharma sector demand, while Ahmedabad’s 14.8% reflects Gujarat’s industrial growth and increasing international connectivity. Bangalore’s 25% growth in international passengers specifically is the highest among the top 10.

India’s overall airport passenger traffic grew 9% in FY 2024-25, reaching 411 million total passengers.

Business Aviation at India’s Busiest Airports

India’s busiest airports also serve as key hubs for business aviation operations. Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore have dedicated general aviation terminals and FBO services. International business aviation flights to India require DGCA-issued landing permits and advance slot coordination.
Just Aviation provides end-to-end flight support at all major Indian airports, including ground handling, fuel coordination, permits, and crew logistics.
For a detailed guide on operating business jets in India, including permits, slots, CIQ procedures, and ground services, see our Business Aviation India Operations Guide.
Related services: Trip Planning | Ground Handling | Flight Permits | Aviation Fuel

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