Data from Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) reveals that Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi handled nearly 1.9 million transfer passengers in May 2026, accounting for 27 percent of its total traffic of 7.14 million travellers. This means one out of every four passengers at the airport is a transit flyer, underscoring its growing role as a preferred gateway connecting destinations across India and the world.
Growing Transit Volume
GMR Airports Limited, which operates and manages IGI Airport, noted that the transfer volume in April stood at 1.54 million, representing nearly 23 percent of total traffic. The data shows a significant year-on-year increase: transit volume in May of the previous year was 20 percent, which rose to 27 percent this year. On average, Delhi airport facilitates approximately 56,000 transfer passengers every day.
According to GMR, the increase in transfer traffic reflects the strength of Delhi airport's extensive route network, robust airline partnerships, integrated terminal operations and passenger-centric infrastructure. These elements together enable seamless connectivity for domestic and international travellers.
Domestic and International Transfers
Domestic-to-domestic (D-D) transfers continue to be the largest contributor, accounting for 61 percent of total transfer traffic. This underscores the IGI Airport's critical role in connecting metropolitan cities with emerging economic centres, tourism destinations and regions across the country. Popular transfer routes include Pune–Delhi–Srinagar, Srinagar–Delhi–Pune and Kolkata–Delhi–Srinagar.
Delhi airport is also witnessing strong growth in international transfer traffic. Key transit flows include routes such as Ahmedabad–Delhi–Toronto, Phuket–Delhi–London Heathrow, Dubai–Delhi–Patna and Kathmandu–Delhi–Tokyo. This highlights the airport's increasing importance as a strategic gateway linking South Asia with major destinations across North America, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region.
Airline Partnerships and Hub Ecosystem
The airport's hub ecosystem is further strengthened by leading airline partners. IndiGo, Air India and Air India Express account for a substantial share of transfer traffic through Delhi. These partnerships are vital to sustaining the airport's position as a major transit hub.
CEO's Perspective
Commenting on the development, Pradeep Panicker, Chief Executive Officer of Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), said: "The steady growth in transfer passenger traffic is a strong endorsement of Delhi Airport's position as India's leading aviation hub. Today, more than one in every four passengers travelling through Delhi Airport is a transit passenger, reflecting the confidence that airlines and travellers place in our connectivity, operational efficiency and seamless travel experience."
With India emerging as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets globally, Delhi Airport is uniquely positioned to serve as a key gateway connecting domestic and international networks, he added. "Even as we navigate a turbulent aviation environment marked by the Middle East crisis and high ATF prices, DIAL continues to work closely with both domestic and international carriers to strengthen connectivity, align networks, benefit transfer passengers, and sustain its position as one of the largest transfer hubs in the region. We remain committed to enhancing passenger convenience, expanding connectivity, and building future-ready infrastructure that supports India's aspirations of becoming a global aviation powerhouse," Panicker mentioned.
