Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) has achieved a historic milestone by joining the elite ‘100-million-plus’ club of global airports, with an annual passenger-handling capacity of 109 million. This puts IGIA among only six airports worldwide with such capacity, and apart from Tokyo Haneda, it is the only one in Asia to hold this distinction. Operated by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the airport reached this milestone in May 2023 following the full operationalisation of Terminal 1, and closed 2024 with the increased capacity.

To further enhance its capabilities, plans are underway to modernise and rebuild Terminal 2. This expansion marks another chapter in India’s rapidly growing aviation sector, which has seen significant transformation in the past decade under national initiatives like PM GatiShakti, the National Logistics Policy, Bharatmala, Sagarmala, and UDAN.

According to an official report, India now has 162 operational airports, including heliports and water aerodromes, compared to just 74 in 2014. The aviation industry handled 412 million passengers in 2024-2025, with 335 million domestic and 77 million international travellers, showing a 9 per cent rise from the previous year.

The UDAN scheme, launched in 2016, has been a key driver in regional connectivity and affordable air travel. So far, 637 RCS routes have been operationalised, including 15 heliports and two water aerodromes, linking 92 underserved and unserved airports. These budget-friendly flights have carried more than 1.51 crore passengers.

Highlighting the sector’s rapid growth, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu stated at the Northern Region Ministers' Conference that India has seen 88 new airports in just a decade, equivalent to nearly one new airport every 40 days. Additionally, air connectivity has expanded with 60 new flights every hour. The minister affirmed that air travel in India is now more accessible, affordable, and widespread, ensuring inclusive aviation growth through state-specific strategies.

With IGIA’s inclusion in the global 100-million-plus club, India has further cemented its place on the world aviation map, showcasing a vibrant and fast-growing sector that continues to strengthen connectivity across the nation and beyond.