Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi has made a significant improvement in its global standing, climbing to the 24th spot in the latest rankings of "megahub" airports, as per a report by international aviation data and analytics firm OAG.
The report, which highlights airports with the highest ratio of scheduled international connections to destinations served, marks a notable achievement for IGIA, which improved from its 25th position in the previous year.
In contrast, Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) dropped 10 places in the ranking, moving from the 34th spot last year to 44th in the global megahub list. Despite this decline, both Delhi and Mumbai airports continue to play a pivotal role in international and low-cost carrier (LCC) operations, further contributing to India’s status as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets globally.
While the two major Indian airports face fluctuating rankings in the overall "megahub" list, both Delhi and Mumbai airports rank significantly higher in the OAG's list of top megahub airports for low-cost carrier operations. This success is primarily driven by IndiGo, India’s largest airline, which uses these airports as its primary hubs for operations.
Delhi airport has improved its position in the LCC category to 5th place, up from last year’s 6th spot.
Mumbai’s airport has retained its 11th position in the global LCC megahub rankings.
IndiGo's extensive operations at these airports are a critical factor in their high rankings. The airline commands 39% of all flights at the Delhi airport and 41% at Mumbai. These strong operational numbers highlight IndiGo’s growing influence not only domestically but on the international stage as well. According to OAG, the Delhi airport offers a total of 11,099 LCC connections across 156 destinations, while Mumbai handles 8,461 LCC connections over 127 destinations.
Globally, London Heathrow, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Tokyo-Haneda, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, and Seoul’s Incheon Airport hold the top five spots in OAG’s overall megahub rankings.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport leads the list for LCC megahubs, followed by Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Incheon Airport, and Singapore Changi Airport.
In terms of overall flight connections, Delhi airport’s connections amount to 21,781, while Mumbai records a total of 12,849. These numbers reflect the extensive international connectivity offered by both airports, although Delhi holds a significant lead in terms of total operations.
India has cemented its position as the third-largest aviation market in the world, trailing only the United States and China. The country is also one of the fastest-growing aviation markets globally, with the potential to expand its international footprint in the coming years.
The Indian aviation industry is actively working to turn domestic airports into major international hubs to compete with global airports like Dubai, Doha, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore.
These airports, particularly in West Asia and Southeast Asia, have become major connecting points for Indian travelers taking international flights, as home carriers from these regions dominate India’s international passenger traffic.
However, the landscape is shifting. With the rise of two strong airline groups in India—IndiGo and the Air India group—there is a concerted effort to capture a larger share of international traffic and turn Indian airports into global aviation hubs. This strategy aims to claw back market share from foreign carriers and re-establish India as a competitive force in international aviation.
Looking ahead, the Indian government and aviation stakeholders are keen to position Indira Gandhi International Airport and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport as major international gateways. This ambition aligns with India's broader economic growth and its rising global stature. The expansion of IndiGo and Air India into international routes will play a crucial role in shaping this vision, potentially transforming these airports into world-class aviation megahubs.