Roberta Aguirre
India's aviation market is one of the fastest-growing in the world, with Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi being the busiest airport in India in terms of overall passenger traffic movement. However, as of 2025, the largest airport in India by area is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, covering 5,500 acres (2,200 hectares).
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What You'll Learn
Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi
The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI Airport) in Delhi is one of the busiest and biggest airports in India. It is named after the former prime minister of India, Mrs Indira Gandhi. The airport is located on over 5000 acres of land, with some sources stating a more specific area of 5106 acres. In 2023, the airport recorded around 72 million passengers, with one source stating a slightly lower figure of around 60 million passengers. To accommodate its high volume of passengers, the Indira Gandhi International Airport plans to expand its capacity to handle 100 million passengers by 2030.
Indira Gandhi International Airport is served by 59 airlines offering flights to and from 97 destinations. The leading airline at the airport is IndiGo, which serves a total of 128 flight destinations. Other major airlines operating in the airport include Air India, SpiceJet, Vistara, and GoAir. In 2021, the airport handled around 857,419 metric tons of cargo.
Indira Gandhi International Airport is known for its advanced systems, such as the implementation of Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) for managing takeoffs and landings. The airport also stands out for being India's first airport to have four runways.
The airport has experienced significant growth and development, driven by factors such as the rise in tourism, rapid urbanisation, and the expanding middle class in India. The government has also played a role in enhancing the aviation industry, introducing initiatives like UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) to promote affordable regional aviation. As a result, India's aviation market is one of the fastest-growing in the world, and the country is expected to become the world's largest passenger traffic market by 2030.
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Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is India's second-busiest airport in terms of total and international passenger traffic, after Delhi. In 2018, it handled 49.8 million passengers, and in 2024-25, it handled over 55.1 million passengers, surpassing its maximum capacity of 50 million passengers per year. The airport is operated by Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), a joint venture between Adani Enterprises and Airports Authority of India.
The airport has two state-of-the-art terminals, with Terminal 1 at Santacruz for domestic flights and Terminal 2, inaugurated in 2014, catering to both domestic and international flights. Terminal 2 is a symbol of efficiency and modernity, handling increasing traffic with a full range of amenities and services. The airport offers unparalleled connectivity, with a dedicated six-lane, elevated road to the Western Express Highway.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport has a rich history that mirrors the growth and transformation of Mumbai. It has been a key player in India's aviation landscape, with several significant milestones. In 2009, a fire broke out on an Air India flight taxiing for takeoff, leading to an emergency evacuation with no injuries among the 229 passengers and crew. In 2012, an Air India flight from London Heathrow suffered damage upon landing, and in 1979, a fire erupted at the International Terminal, resulting in three deaths. Despite these challenges, the airport has continued to evolve, solidifying its status as a vital link between Mumbai and the world.
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Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad
The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad is the biggest airport in India by area. Covering 5,500 acres of land, it is jointly operated by the GMR Group, Airport Authority of India (AAI), and Government of Telangana. It is also one of the busiest airports in the country, handling over 29 million passengers and over 167,660 tonnes of cargo. The airport has two terminals, one for domestic flights and the other for international flights, and is well-connected to the city of Hyderabad by bus and rail services. It was named after Rajiv Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India, and came into operation on 23 March 2008, replacing the Begumpet Airport.
The airport has won several awards and accolades, including being ranked among the world's top five in the annual Airport Service Quality (ASQ) passenger survey. It was also the first airport in India to launch a domestic e-boarding facility in December 2015, followed by an international e-boarding facility in October 2020. The original and primary runway is long enough to accommodate the Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger aircraft. A second, parallel runway was inaugurated in February 2012, making it the first international airport in South India to have such a feature.
The airport offers a variety of food options at reasonable prices and has renovated duty-free shopping amenities, with several new stores offering a wide range of brands at competitive prices. The nearby Novotel Hyderabad Airport hotel, located 3.5 kilometres from the airport, opened in October 2008 and features 305 rooms, two restaurants, and a lounge for aircrew. The GMR Group has also developed a professional racing and recreational Go-Karting track, Kartainment, within the airport premises.
In terms of connectivity, the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is approximately 13 kilometres from the Hyderabad Railway Station, and Aero Express buses provide a non-stop airport shuttle service to various destinations within the city. Hyderabad itself is a culturally rich city, known for its world-famous cuisine, including Hyderabadi Biryani, and monuments such as the Charminar. The city also has a modern side, meeting the growing IT needs of India and the world. With millions of tourists and business visitors each year, air travel to Hyderabad is popular, and many airlines offer budget-friendly tickets.
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Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore
The Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore, India, is a bustling aviation hub that serves the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. With its opening in May 2008, it emerged as the third-biggest airport in India, providing a much-needed alternative to the congested HAL Airport. Named after Kempe Gowda I, the founder of Bengaluru, the airport is owned and operated by Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL), a public-private consortium.
Spanning across 16 square kilometres or 4,000 acres, the Kempegowda International Airport is a massive aviation facility. It has become Karnataka's first fully solar-powered airport, developed by CleanMax Solar. This airport is a crucial gateway for both domestic and international travellers, offering convenient connections to various destinations.
Kempegowda International Airport handles a significant volume of air traffic, accommodating over 37.5 million passengers annually. It is the aviation hub for several prominent airlines, including Air India, AIX Connect, Akasa Air, Alliance Air, DHL Aviation, FedEx Express, and Vistara. The airport has also witnessed several milestones in establishing nonstop connections to different regions. For instance, in October 2019, Ethiopian Airlines commenced flights to Addis Ababa, providing the first direct link between Bengaluru and Africa.
The airport has undergone expansion projects to enhance its capacity and functionality. The second phase of expansion included the construction of a second runway and an additional passenger terminal. These improvements enabled the airport to manage a remarkable 55-60 million passengers per year. The airport has also implemented heightened security measures, advising passengers to arrive at least three hours before their scheduled departures to ensure a smooth check-in, security, and boarding process.
Strategically located about 35 kilometres north of Bengaluru, near the suburb of Devanahalli, Kempegowda International Airport plays a pivotal role in facilitating air travel in the region. Its establishment and subsequent expansion reflect the growing demand for domestic and international travel in India, driven by rapid urbanisation and a booming tourism industry.
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Manohar International Airport, Goa
The biggest airport in India is the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad. It is spread over 5,500 acres of land and has an enormous terminal that can handle 1.2 million passengers. However, another airport in India, the Manohar International Airport in Goa, is a notable mention.
Manohar International Airport in Goa is a newly built airport that was inaugurated on 11 December 2022 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is named after Manohar Parrikar, the former Defence Minister and the 10th Chief Minister of Goa. The airport is located at Mopa in North Goa and serves as the second airport in the state after Dabolim Airport.
The airport is built under the Build Operate Transfer (BOT) model, with the first phase costing around ₹1,500 crore. It is designed to cater to 4.4 million passengers in the initial phase and is expected to handle 13.1 million passengers by the end of the fourth phase. The airport can support 200 flights daily, with 100 arrivals and 100 departures. On average, Manohar International Airport handles about 100 aircraft movements and approximately 15,000 passengers per day.
The construction of the airport was undertaken by GMR Goa International Airport Limited (GGIAL), a special purpose vehicle formed by GMR Airports Limited, which won the bid to develop and operate the airport. The total cost of constructing the airport amounted to ₹3,000 crore. The airport features a paperless, tech-enabled check-in process, providing a seamless experience for travellers while also reducing its carbon footprint.
Manohar International Airport offers a unique Goan experience to travellers, providing easy access to various destinations within the state. With its convenient location and modern facilities, the airport is well-equipped to handle both domestic and international operations, contributing significantly to the aviation industry in Goa.
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Frequently asked questions
The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad is the largest airport in India by area, covering 5,500 acres (2,200 hectares).
The airport was opened on 23 March 2008, replacing Begumpet Airport.
The Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is the busiest airport in India in terms of overall passenger traffic movement, followed by Mumbai and Bengaluru.
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