The report, published on Wednesday (May 28), indicates a 14% year-on-year increase in overall connectivity across these regions. This growth is credited to a rebound in international travel demand, ongoing recovery of airline networks, and the restoration of key global travel routes.
Delhi Airport has achieved the 10th spot in the hub airport rankings for 2024, demonstrating strong connectivity leadership. Dubai International Airport tops the list, with Shanghai Pudong International Airport in second place. Hamad International Airport in Qatar and Incheon International Airport in South Korea occupy the third and fourth positions, respectively.
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Chinese airports are well-represented in the top tier, with Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport ranked fifth and Beijing Capital International Airport sixth. Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand is in seventh place, while Singapore’s Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia take the eighth and ninth spots, respectively.
Recently, the world’s busiest airport for international travel, Dubai International Airport (DXB), set a remarkable record, with 92.3 million passengers passing through its terminals in 2024, as confirmed by officials. This milestone signifies a substantial recovery for the airport following the COVID-19 pandemic, exceeding the previous record of 89.1 million passengers recorded in 2018.
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“The Hub Connectivity Index evaluates an airport’s capability as an international transfer point, taking into account factors such as feasible transfer windows, route deviations from direct flight paths, and the strength of onward connectivity,” stated the ACI in its release.
The Indira Gandhi International Airport is managed by Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), a public-private partnership. In a separate announcement from DIAL, it was noted that Delhi Airport currently connects to 153 destinations — comprising 81 domestic and 72 international ones. The expanding global footprint of the airport aligns with the Indian government’s vision to establish IGIA as a pivotal international transit hub.
In November 2024, Delhi Airport experienced its highest monthly passenger traffic, surpassing 6.7 million passengers, reflecting an 11.8% year-on-year increase. Domestic traffic represented 4.9 million passengers, growing by 12.3% year-on-year, while international traffic reached 1.9 million, up 10.4% year-on-year.
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
First Published: May 28, 2025 7:33 PM IST
