TOP 5 airports in India 2023

India has emerged as one of the largest aviation markets globally, with a rapid increase in the number of travelers taking to the skies, reaching 120 million in 2022.

In response to this growth, airports throughout the country have been enhancing their infrastructure by constructing additional terminals and runways to accommodate the surge in traffic. Here we analyzed and present 5 busiest airports in India based on the total number of flights in 2023, utilizing data provided by data providers.

Delhi Airport

New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) continues to occupy the top spot on the list, having accommodated an impressive 212,431 flights from April 2022 to 2023, with the addition of several new domestic and international routes.

As the airport expects to surpass pre-COVID levels of traffic soon, a fourth runway and an expanded Terminal 1 (for domestic flights only) are set to be operational this year, catering to 40 million travelers. Being the only four-runway airport in India, DEL is expected to retain its leading position on the list for the foreseeable future.

Mumbai Airport

Securing the second spot is Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM), located in the financial and entertainment capital of India. From April 2022 to 2023, BOM has handled 144,401 flights, a remarkable feat considering the airport has only one operational runway (with two runways in total). Given the limited space available for expansion, Navi Mumbai International Airport is scheduled to commence operations by the end of next year to alleviate congestion at BOM, which will remain the primary hub.

Bengaluru Airport

Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) ranks as the third-largest airport in India, catering to 111,010 flights as of April 2023.

As the technological center of the country, BLR inaugurated its second runway earlier this year and is set to increase its capacity to accommodate 50-60 million passengers with the addition of a new terminal. With the commencement of its first US route in 2021, the airport is expected to introduce additional new routes in the near future.

Hyderabad Airport

Ranking fourth on the list is Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD), which managed 79,024 flights in 2022. As a significant destination, the airport is served by domestic carriers and foreign airlines such as Nok Air and British Airways, among others. HYD had direct service to Chicago in the US from 2021 to 2022, but the route was temporarily halted last summer.

Kolkata Airport

Kolkata Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) is often referred to as the “forgotten hub” due to its historical significance in long-distance travel.

Presently, it ranks as India’s fifth busiest airport, accommodating 66,812 flights in 2022. It is in close competition for this spot, with a difference of less than one percent separating it from the sixth position.