India’s economy is growing fast, and tourism is on the rise too. The country has several top-notch international airports that link it to the world. These airports are important for both travelers and cargo. Let’s check out some of the 7 largest international airports in India:
1. Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) – Delhi
Location: Palam, New Delhi
Passenger Traffic: More than 70 million people fly here each year.
Overview:
Indira Gandhi International Airport, often called IGI, is the biggest airport in India. It’s named after Indira Gandhi, the country’s first woman Prime Minister. This airport is super busy and has a lot of flights connecting India to places all around the world.
IGI first opened its doors in 1962 as a domestic airport. Since then, it has expanded a lot. Today, it sits about 16 kilometers from the heart of Delhi, making it really easy for folks coming from different parts of the city and nearby areas to get there.
Key Features:
- Terminals: IGI has three terminals. Terminal 1 is for domestic flights. Terminal 2 is for low-cost airlines. Terminal 3 is the biggest and takes care of both international and domestic travel, with fancy lounges, shopping spots, and great places to eat.
- Capacity: The airport can handle over 70 million passengers a year and sees more than 1,000 flights taking off and landing every day.
- Connectivity: It’s a major hub for Air India and a bunch of other airlines, offering nonstop flights to tons of destinations worldwide.
- Awards and Recognition: IGI has earned many awards, often being ranked as one of the best airports in Asia for its facilities and customer care.
Expansion Plans:
To keep up with the ever-growing number of travelers, IGI is busy building a new terminal, called Terminal 4, and laying down plans for a third runway. There’s also an updated cargo terminal on the way.
2. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) – Mumbai
Location: Santacruz, Mumbai
Passenger Traffic: More than 50 million travelers each year.
Overview:
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, or CSMIA, is found in Mumbai. It’s India’s second-busiest airport and the top spot for international flights. Mumbai is the financial heartbeat of India, so this airport sees a ton of business travelers and tourists from around the globe.
This airport has been serving passengers for over 60 years and is named after the legendary Maratha king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It’s about 26 kilometers from downtown Mumbai, so getting there is pretty straightforward.
Key Features:
- Terminals: CSMIA has two terminals. Terminal 1 is for domestic flights. Terminal 2 serves both national and international travelers and is famous for its stunning design and modern features.
- Capacity: This airport manages over 50 million passengers a year, mixing both international and domestic travel.
- Connectivity: Major airlines like Air India and IndiGo have bases here. You can catch flights to many spots around the globe from CSMIA.
- Awards and Recognition: CSMIA has won many awards for being efficient and providing great customer service.
Expansion Plans:
They are expanding Terminal 2 and working on a new Terminal 1A to handle the rising number of passengers. They’re also looking to boost cargo services, which are important for this key economic area.
3. Kempegowda International Airport – Bangalore
Location: Devanahalli, Bangalore
Passenger Traffic: Around 35 million travelers each year.
Overview:
Kempegowda International Airport is a major gateway to South India. Located in Bangalore, it’s known for its modern facilities and growing number of international flights. The airport honors Kempegowda, the city’s founder.
Opened in 2008, this airport has quickly become a key player for flights coming in and out of southern India.
Key Features:
- Terminals: There are two terminals. Terminal 1 takes care of both domestic and international flights. Terminal 2, which just opened, is set up mainly for international traffic.
- Capacity: BLR handles a big crowd, with plans to increase its capacity soon with a new terminal in the works.
- Connectivity: The airport is a hub for AirAsia India and is popular for flights to places like the Middle East and Europe.
- Technology: They’re using lots of cool tech like automated check-in kiosks and smarter baggage handling.
Expansion Plans:
A second runway is being built to handle the growing number of passengers and cargo. They’re also planning to add more infrastructure to keep up with demand.
4. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport – Kolkata
Location: Dum Dum, Kolkata
Passenger Traffic: Over 20 million passengers each year.
Overview:
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, or CCU, is one of the oldest and largest in India. It plays an important role in connecting Kolkata, known for its vibrant culture, to both domestic and international destinations.
Since it first opened in the 1960s, this airport has been busy serving travelers. (7 Largest International Airports in India)
Key Features:
- Terminals: CCU has two terminals. Terminal 1 is for domestic flights. Terminal 2 handles all kinds of flights.
- Capacity: It serves more than 20 million passengers annually, with increasing connections both locally and globally.
- Connectivity: CCU links Kolkata to major cities in places like Southeast Asia and Europe, and it’s also important for regional flights in India.
- Renovation: They recently revamped Terminal 2, improved parking, and enhanced passenger services.
Expansion Plans:
The airport is undergoing a major renovation, including building a new terminal and expanding the runway capabilities to keep up with demand.
5. Chennai International Airport – Chennai
Location: Meenambakkam, Chennai
Passenger Traffic: Over 22 million passengers every year.
Overview:
Chennai International Airport is the biggest airport in Tamil Nadu and one of the main gateways to South India. Located in the city of Chennai, it manages a high volume of both domestic and international flights, especially to Southeast Asia.
It has been around since 1954 and has been expanded multiple times to keep pace with increasing travel needs. (7 Largest International Airports in India)
Key Features:
- Terminals: The airport has two main terminals: Terminal 1 for domestic flights and Terminal 2 for international journeys.
- Capacity: It handles over 22 million passengers each year.
- Connectivity: Chennai connects travelers to many spots in Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, making it quite busy for international flights.
- Cargo Services: It’s also an important player in the cargo business, especially for exports from South India.
Expansion Plans:
Chennai is working on a new international terminal and upgrading its facilities to meet growing passenger numbers, while also boosting cargo operations.
6. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport – Hyderabad
Location: Shamshabad, Hyderabad
Passenger Traffic: Around 22 million travelers flown every year.
Overview:
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport has been one of India’s fastest-growing airports since it opened in 2008. Located about 24 kilometers from the city center, it’s vital for air travel in Southern India and connects travelers to various destinations worldwide.
Key Features:
It’s named after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and aims to serve as a key point for international flights.
- Terminals: The airport has a single terminal that handles both domestic and international flights, with plans for expansion.
- Capacity: It processes over 22 million passengers a year.
- Connectivity: Hyderabad Airport is becoming a popular stop for international journeys, especially to and from the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
- Cargo: The airport also helps a lot with cargo transport, particularly for international shipments.
Expansion Plans:
A new terminal is currently being built to support the rising number of passengers and cargo traffic. They are also looking to improve overall facilities.
7. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport – Ahmedabad
Location: Hansol, Ahmedabad
Passenger Traffic: More than 10 million flyers annually.
Overview:
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport serves Ahmedabad in Gujarat and is the seventh largest in India. Named after one of the nation’s founding fathers, this airport connects the region with the rest of the world.
Opened in 1937, it’s been serving domestic and international flights, especially to the Middle East and Southeast Asia. (7 Largest International Airports in India)
Key Features:
- Terminals: The airport has one terminal that caters to both types of flights, with plans for expansion.
- Capacity: It serves around 10 million passengers each year.
- Connectivity: This airport is crucial for travel to destinations in the Middle East and Southeast Asia and is growing as a gateway for travelers.
Expansion Plans:
They’re busy working on expanding their terminal space and improving infrastructure to handle more traffic in the future.
