Delhi Airport to Connect 159 Destinations by 2026, Aiming for Global Hub Status
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport is gearing up to become India’s premier global aviation hub, with plans to expand its network to 159 destinations by 2026. Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar announced that new international routes will include Manila, Krabi, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Manchester, Athens, and Tokyo Narita, alongside domestic additions like Jamnagar, Jabalpur, and Pune. This expansion is expected to strengthen Delhi’s role as a key connector between East and West, with transfer passengers already comprising nearly 30% of total traffic.
To support the growing demand, DIAL is enhancing its infrastructure under Phase 3A expansion, including a significant increase in International-to-International (I2I) transfer capacity and preparations for the government’s Domestic-to-International (D2I) pilot project. The ongoing conversion of Terminal 3’s Pier C for international operations will boost capacity by nearly 50% by mid-January 2026. Additionally, new systems for seamless baggage transfers, improved inter-terminal shuttles, and the upcoming Metro Gold Line will further streamline passenger movement.
Passenger numbers at IGI have surged by 45% year-on-year this winter, with 79 million passengers handled in FY25. DIAL’s next master plan aims to raise capacity beyond 110 million annually and includes proposals for a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to establish an integrated logistics and cargo hub. These developments mark a crucial step in positioning Delhi as a major global aviation gateway.
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