Skyward Surge: Delhi Airport Rises To 9th Busiest Globally With 77 Million Passengers

India’s aviation sector has reached a new altitude as Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) secures the 9th spot among the world’s busiest airports for 2024. According to the Airports Council International (ACI) World report released on July 8, 2025, IGIA handled over 77.8 million passengers last year, marking a significant leap from its 10th position in 2023.

Key Passenger Traffic Highlights

- IGIA processed 77,820,834 passengers in 2024  
- The ranking is based on total enplaned and deplaned passengers, with transit passengers counted once  
- This milestone reflects a steady rise in both domestic and international traffic  
- Passenger volumes grew 8.4 percent globally year-on-year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels  

Aircraft Movements And Operational Growth

Delhi Airport also climbed two spots in aircraft movements, now ranked 15th globally:

- Total aircraft movements reached 477,509 in 2024  
- This represents a 3.9 percent increase over 2023 and 96.8 percent of 2019 levels  
- The airport connects to over 150 destinations worldwide  

Global Context And Comparative Rankings

IGIA’s achievement places it among elite global hubs:

- Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport topped the list with over 108 million passengers  
- Dubai International Airport ranked second with 92.3 million  
- Dallas/Fort Worth Airport followed with 87.8 million  
- Other top 10 airports include Tokyo Haneda, London Heathrow, Denver, Istanbul, Chicago O’Hare, and Shanghai Pudong  

Infrastructure And Recognition

Delhi Airport’s rise is attributed to robust infrastructure, expanding connectivity, and consistent service excellence:

- Operated by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), led by the GMR Group  
- Awarded the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award for Best Airport in Asia-Pacific for the seventh consecutive year  
- Recognised for sustained passenger growth and global competitiveness  

Outlook And Industry Impact

This global recognition underscores India’s growing aviation footprint and Delhi’s emergence as a strategic hub for international travel. With continued investments in terminal upgrades and airside capacity, IGIA is poised to further elevate its global standing.

Sources: NDTV, Economic Times, Indian Express, Hindustan Times, Adda247, Airports Council International (ACI) World Report 2024