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India’s aviation sector is witnessing an unprecedented boom, positioning the country as the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world. This rapid growth is driven by economic liberalization, increased disposable incomes, expanding tourism, and strong government initiatives such as UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) aimed at improving regional air connectivity. International airports at the heart of this evolution act as vital conduits connecting India with the rest of the world.
International airport in India are more than just transit points, they are economic engines that facilitate trade, tourism, and diplomatic ties. As the country embraces globalization, these airports play a critical role in elevating India’s global stature.
This article provides a comprehensive look at the evolution of airports in India, the number and significance of international airports, key terminals, major airport profiles, AAI’s role, economic relevance, and future prospects. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or a curious reader, this guide will give you valuable insights into the international airport landscape in India.
India’s aviation journey began in the early 20th century. The country witnessed its first commercial flight in 1911 between Allahabad and Naini. This short yet historic flight was a part of an exhibition, marking the beginning of India’s tryst with the skies. In the following decades, international airlines like Imperial Airways began operating routes from India in the 1930s, connecting Indian cities to international destinations.
Post-independence, India focused on building its civil aviation capabilities. The 1950s to 1970s were foundational decades, with major airports being developed in metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. In 1986, the government established the International Airports Authority of India (IAAI) to manage the growing complexity of international air travel.
In 1995, IAAI merged with the National Airports Authority (NAA) to form the Airports Authority of India (AAI). This merger streamlined airport development and air traffic management across the country. The 1990s liberalization brought private players into aviation, leading to significant improvements in passenger experience, infrastructure, and service delivery.
Between 2006 and 2010, India’s four metro airports, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, underwent modernization through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). These efforts transformed the Indian airport landscape, making it comparable to global hubs. The UDAN scheme, launched in 2017, further strengthened regional connectivity, while programs like DigiYatra introduced digital boarding, biometric verification, and paperless check-ins.
India currently has 35 officially designated international airports and over 150 operational airports. These international airports have the necessary infrastructure, such as immigration counters, customs facilities, duty-free shopping zones, and cargo terminals.
These international airports are spread strategically nationwide, ensuring global access from key metropolitan cities and emerging regional centers. Each international airport serves a unique regional and strategic purpose, from the bustling terminals of Delhi and Mumbai to the eco-friendly tarmacs of Cochin and Hyderabad.
The international airports are spread across various regions:
This distribution ensures that most states and union territories are connected to global destinations, enhancing accessibility for trade and tourism.
In comparison to other aviation giants:
With airports under construction in places like Jewar (Noida), Navi Mumbai, and Bhogapuram, India aims to match its international peers in the coming decade.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation notifies total international airports in India. While some are operated directly by AAI, others follow the PPP model involving operators like GMR, GVK, and the Adani Group. These partnerships aim to combine public regulation with private efficiency and capital.
Located in the national capital, Indira Gandhi International Airport is the busiest and most prominent international airport in India. Operated by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), it handles over 70 million passengers annually.
Terminal 3 (T3) is a state-of-the-art facility equipped with modern infrastructure, retail outlets, lounges, and multi-modal transport access. As a hub for Air India and Vistara, T3 connects Delhi to major cities across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Delhi Airport consistently ranks high on global airport indexes for service quality and efficiency.
Serving as the primary air gateway to western India, Mumbai Airport handles substantial cargo and passenger traffic. Managed by Adani Airport Holdings, the airport is undergoing expansion to manage future growth.
Its iconic Terminal 2 is celebrated for its artistic design and top-tier amenities. The airport connects India to more than 100 international destinations, making it a vital hub for global business and trade.
Strategically located in India’s Silicon Valley, Bengaluru Airport supports tech-driven services and green initiatives. The airport is powered by solar energy and features smart infrastructure for seamless passenger movement.
With a second terminal recently inaugurated, Kempegowda International Airport is expanding its capacity and range of international routes, especially to Europe and East Asia.
Often rated among the best airports in India, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport boasts efficient service, cleanliness, and punctuality. Its growing cargo terminal supports pharma and tech exports.
Operated by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd, the airport is known for sustainable practices and has received multiple international awards.
These airports collectively strengthen India’s position as a global aviation player.
| S.N. | Name of the Airport | City/ State |
| 1. | Rajiv Gandhi International Airport | Hyderabad, Telangana |
| 2. | Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport | Amritsar, Punjab |
| 3. | Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport | Guwahati, Assam |
| 4. | Biju Patnaik International Airport | Bhubaneswar, Odisha |
| 5. | Gaya Airport | Gaya, Bihar |
| 6. | Indira Gandhi International Airport | New Delhi, Delhi |
| 7. | Veer Savarkar International Airport | Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands |
| 8. | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport | Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
| 9. | Kempegowda International Airport | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| 10. | Mangalore International Airport | Mangalore, Karnataka |
| 11. | Cochin International Airport | Kochi, Kerala |
| 12. | Calicut International Airport | Kozhikode, Kerala |
| 13. | Trivandrum International Airport | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala |
| 14. | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| 15. | Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport | Nagpur, Maharashtra |
| 16. | Jaipur International Airport | Jaipur, Rajasthan |
| 17. | Chennai International Airport | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| 18. | Tiruchirappalli International Airport | Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu |
| 19. | Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh |
| 20. | Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh |
| 21. | Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport | Kolkata, West Bengal |
| 22. | Kannur International Airport | Kannur, Kerala |
| 23. | Surat Airport | Surat, Gujarat |
| 24. | Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport | Indore, Madhya Pradesh |
| 25. | Dabolim Airport | Dabolim, Goa |
| 26. | Coimbatore International Airport | Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu |
| 27. | Sheikh ul-Aalam International Airport | Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir |
| 28. | Imphal International Airport | Imphal, Manipur |
| 29. | Madurai Airport | Madurai, Tamil Nadu |
| 30. | Bagdogra International Airport | Siliguri, West Bengal |
| 31. | Mangalore International Airport | Mangalore, Karnataka |
| 32. | Chandigarh International Airport | Chandigarh |
| 33. | Nashik Airport | Nashik, Maharashtra |
| 34. | Vadodara Airport | Vadodara, Gujarat |
| 35. | Kushinagar Airport | Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh |
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. It oversees the creation, upgradation, maintenance, and management of civil aviation infrastructure in India.
AAI operates more than 100 airports, of which several are international. It ensures that these airports meet global standards in terms of safety, service, and efficiency. Through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), AAI has successfully modernized key airports while retaining oversight.
Recent initiatives include satellite-based navigation, air traffic modernization, and support for green airports. AAI is also working to improve regional air connectivity through schemes like UDAN.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is the statutory organization responsible for civil aviation infrastructure in the country. It ensures safe, efficient, and cost-effective air navigation and airport operations.
International airports in India are engines of economic growth. They facilitate foreign direct investment (FDI), boost tourism, and streamline the import-export supply chain. Airports like Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad are crucial logistics nodes for e-commerce and global trade.
These hubs also serve diplomatic and strategic purposes, supporting government delegations, defense cooperation, and emergency evacuations. Employment opportunities generated by airport operations further enhance regional economic development.
In essence, international airports are not just transit points but vital assets in India’s global engagement strategy.
India’s aviation sector is soaring to new heights with a visionary focus on expanding its international airport infrastructure. As global passenger traffic steadily rises and domestic demand surges, India is investing heavily in creating next-generation airports that match international standards in capacity, sustainability, and technology.
From megaprojects like the Noida International Airport to sustainable regional hubs in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, the goal is clear: strengthen international connectivity, enhance airports in India, and make air travel accessible to every Indian citizen.Major Upcoming International Airport Projects
Set to become the largest international airport in India and among the biggest in Asia, the Jewar airport project is designed to handle over 70 million passengers annually once fully operational. With six runways planned, the airport will feature:
To alleviate the burden on the overcrowded Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, the Navi Mumbai airport is being built with a capacity of 60 million passengers per year. Scheduled to open in phases starting late 2025, it includes:
Located near Visakhapatnam, the Bhogapuram Airport is a greenfield international project aimed at boosting tourism and tech investment in northern Andhra Pradesh. It will cater to 8–10 million passengers annually and feature:
The Manohar International Airport in Mopa, inaugurated recently, adds significant capacity to international tourism in Goa. It supplements the older Dabolim airport, which was constrained by military airspace use. Key features include:
India’s Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are increasingly being integrated into the global aviation map. The government is actively planning or upgrading international terminals in:
India is not just building more airports—it’s building smarter and greener airports. With global aviation’s climate footprint under scrutiny, India’s infrastructure push is aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and net-zero emissions targets.
India’s international airports are no longer just transit points—they are dynamic engines of growth, global integration, and national pride. These aviation hubs represent the perfect synergy of infrastructure, technology, and policy vision, serving as touchpoints where tradition meets innovation and where local ambition merges with international opportunity. From the iconic and sprawling Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi to the sustainably designed Cochin International Airport, India’s airport infrastructure mirrors its transformation into a modern, forward-looking economy.
As of March 2025, with 35 total international airports in India and several more under construction, the country is accelerating toward becoming one of the largest and most connected aviation networks in the world. Projects such as Noida International Airport (Jewar) and Navi Mumbai International Airport will redefine international connectivity standards, decongest existing traffic, and bolster economic zones across regions.
Moreover, the government’s strategic push to integrate smart technology, implement green airport initiatives, and expand air access to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities reflects a holistic approach to aviation development. Innovations like biometric boarding (DigiYatra), AI-powered traffic management, and solar-powered terminals are not just upgrades—they’re redefining how the world experiences travel through India.
For international travelers, these airports offer world-class experiences. For businesses and investors, they provide seamless logistics and cargo capabilities. For policymakers and planners, they demonstrate a blueprint for sustainable, scalable infrastructure. In short, the role of international airports in India extends far beyond aviation—they are critical levers of foreign investment, employment generation, diplomatic engagement, and global tourism.
As India aims to host over 1 billion air passengers annually by 2040 and attract a growing share of global air traffic, international airports in India will play an increasingly vital role in shaping not just the skies above us but the very future of Indian economic growth and global influence. Understanding and appreciating this dynamic landscape is essential for anyone invested in the future of India’s global standing.
As of March 2025, India officially has 37 international airports among more than 150 operational airports nationwide. This expansion includes recent additions like Mopa (Goa) and Hollongi (Arunachal Pradesh)
Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi) remains the busiest, handling approximately 79 million passengers in FY 2024–25, ranking it 9th globally by volume
International flights: Arrive at least 3 hours before departure.
Inter-terminal shuttle: Free service runs every 20 minutes between T1, T2 & T3
Major airports now offer:
DigiYatra facial-recognition boarding at 15+ airports.
GAGAN satellite navigation and CAT-III runways for enhanced safety
T2 at Mumbai International Airport offers:
Art galleries like the Jaya He GVK Museum
Diverse duty‑free shops and premium lounges
High-capacity cargo handling and optimized passenger flow
Authored by, Amay Mathur | Senior Editor
Amay Mathur is a business news reporter at Chegg.com. He previously worked for PCMag, Business Insider, The Messenger, and ZDNET as a reporter and copyeditor. His areas of coverage encompass tech, business, strategy, finance, and even space. He is a Columbia University graduate.
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