Five busiest airports in India: Can you guess which takes top spot?

India's

airports have turned into massive hubs for domestic and international travel, handling an estimated 376.4 million passengers annually in FY 2023–2024, a 15 per cent increase from the previous year. According to estimates from the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), passenger traffic is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8–9% between FY25 and FY27, with traffic reaching the mid-300 million mark in FY 2023–2024.

No 1. Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), Delhi

The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in Delhi has been the busiest airport in India for both passenger and cargo traffic since 2009. With over 73.67 million passengers in FY 2023–2024, IGI continues to hold the title of busiest airport in India.

Also read | Unlocking tourism through transit: Building a seamless mobility experience in India

With roughly 3,613,762 seats available, it has experienced the greatest capacity expansion, with a 3.4% increase to 3.6 million seats. Ranked as the ninth busiest airport worldwide, its combined function as the main international gateway and domestic hub guarantees a steady high volume of traffic.

No 2. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Mumbai

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, which serves flights to all six inhabited continents and handles approximately 52.82 million passengers, comes after IGI. Although its growth rate (around 4.4%) lags behind some of the rising airports, it serves both massive domestic volumes and a robust international network as India's business and financial capital.

No 3. Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), Bengaluru

In FY 2023–2024, the Bengaluru airport handled over 37.53 million passengers. According to the Airport Council International (ACI) classification, Bengaluru's Kempegowda notably recorded 40.73 million passengers early this year, making it a "large airport" worldwide.

Also read | Air India to resume direct Delhi-Tel Aviv flights from Jan 2026: Israel tourism ministry

The passengers were connected to 75 domestic and 30 international destinations, and 11 domestic and four international routes were added during the year. Known as India's "Silicon Valley" gateway, it continues to grow at a rate of about 11.6% annually thanks to robust domestic demand and expanding foreign services.

No 4. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD), Hyderabad

In FY 2023–2024, HYD handled more than 25.04 million passengers, exhibiting one of the top five growth rates at almost 16.5%. It is becoming a major southern hub for both domestic and international flights thanks to its excellent location and state-of-the-art infrastructure. It consistently scores highly for passenger satisfaction and operational excellence in both local and is known for its superior facilities and efficiency.

No 5. Chennai International Airport (MAA)

Chennai ranks fifth in the top five with around 21.21 million passengers in FY 2023–2024, a growth of nearly 5.7%. It serves as a major gateway for the southern area, connecting Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states both domestically and internationally. Additionally, it serves millions of people each year, linking Chennai to important cities in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.