10 International Airports In India

With new international airports springing up in different parts of the country, the aviation industry is experiencing massive growth in the last few years. State of the art infrastructure and efficiency plays an integral role important role when it comes to choosing the top international airports in India.

The Indian airports are witnessing higher air traffic and connecting major destinations around the globe. Their modern look and premium facilities have made travelling easier and more comfortable for flight passengers.

* Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), New Delhi

The capital city of Delhi boasts the largest international airport in India and the sixth largest in the world. Located in Palam, IGI Airport spans across an area of 5106 acres and around 80 airlines connect the city with other international destinations. It is also one of the busiest airports that witnesses over 60 million passenger footfall. In the year 2018, it has earned the title of the ‘Best Airport across the Globe in the 40 million passenger category’ by the International Airport Council. The plush ambience, proper signage, a plethora of shopping outlets and exotic restaurants have contributed to the growing popularity of the IGI airport.

* Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM), Mumbai

Chhatrapati International Airport is the primary airport that serves the capital city of Maharashtra. The airport is one of the biggest in the country and spans across an area of 1450 acres. It is tucked between the suburbs of Sahar and Santa Cruz. The airport complex is a feast to the sore eyes which is constantly being upgraded to suit passenger needs.

Mumbai Airport is a hotspot for global brands and amazing restaurants. In addition, there is an O2 spa outlet where you can relax and unwind while waiting for your flight. The T2 terminal with state of the art architecture houses over 7000 artefacts from different parts of the world. Mumbai Airport has won the Airport Service Quality Award for being one of the most efficient airports for handling air traffic.

* Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU), Kolkata

Address: Jessore Road, Dum Dum, Kolkata, West Bengal – 700052

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport was named after the prominent nationalist leader of the same name and serves the Kolkata metropolitan. It is located in the Dum Dum area, approximately 17 kilometres from the city centre. It is the fifth busiest airport in India that sprawls across an area of 2460 acres. Kolkata airport is often regarded as the fastest growing airport in the country with an annual increase in passenger traffic by 27%. In the year 2014 and 2015, it has been awarded the title of the ‘Best Improved Airport in the Asia-Pacific’ by the International Airport Council. The main highlight of the CCU airport is the newly designed L-shaped Terminal 2 that has replaced the international and domestic buildings. The new terminal is integrated with smart features and the ambience reflects the true essence of Kolkata.

* Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), Bangalore

Sprawling over 4000 acres, Kempegowda International Airport serves the capital state of Karnataka. The airport is located at Devanahalli, 40 kilometres from the main city. Reputed as the busiest airport in South India, it witnesses 27 million passenger footprints annually. Initiatives have been taken to expand the Bangalore Airport in 2 phases. In 2013, after the completion of the first phase, there was a sharp increase in airport check-ins. The construction of the second phase began in 2015 and this will eliminate capacity issues. The airport terminal is filled with shopping outlets as well as a number of food joints. This airport also boasts a transit hotel where you can relax during a layover.

* Chennai International Airport (MAA), Chennai

Chennai International airport is the fourth busiest in India and serves the capital city as well as some parts of Tamil Nadu. This airport manages around 20 million passengers every year and only a quarter of whom are international fliers. Terminal 3 connects the region with 20 international destinations around the globe. On a daily basis, more than 400 aeroplanes arrive and depart from this airport. Chennai airport is undergoing major redevelopments to handle the increasing passenger flow. A brand new terminal building shall be built in place of the old terminals. This new integrated terminal will be more compatible with the new generation airport requirements.

* Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU), Guwahati

Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport is one of the largest international airports in North-East India that serves the state of Assam. It is run and managed by the Airport Authority of India. Currently, Guwahati airport serves as the base for the Indian Air Force. Spreading over 627 acres, it can handle up to 10 lakh passengers every year. At peak hours, the international terminal can manage around 125 passenger footprints. The airport features a single paved runaway that is 2743 metres in length and 46 metres in breadth. Further renovations are going on to make the Guwahati airport more user-friendly and cater to the growing passenger population.

* Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD), Ahmedabad

Located in Hansol, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport serves Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. It is one of the busiest airports in the country that is managed by the Airport Authority of India. The airport was named in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the former Indian Prime Minister. Ahmedabad Airport handled around 9.2 million passengers in the fiscal year of 2017 – 18. It has also earned the title of the ‘Most Improved Airport in Asia-Pacific’ by the International Airport Council. Currently, this airport has 4 terminals with a single runway measuring 3505 metres.

* Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD), Hyderabad

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport serves the capital city of Telangana. It is situated in Shamshabad, 24 kilometres from Hyderabad. The airport was named in honour of the former Indian Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi. It was ranked the sixth busiest airport in the country after managing 18.2 million passenger footprints in the fiscal year 2017 – 18. The airport features 1 cargo terminal, 1 passenger terminal and 2 paved runways. International flight operations take place on the western side and the domestic operations happen on the eastern side. Since its inception, Hyderabad Airport consistently ranks among the best 3 airports across the globe.

* Pune International Airport (PNQ) , Pune

Located at a distance of 10 kilometres from the city centre, Pune International Airport serves domestic as well as international fliers, especially to Western Asia. This international airport was able to handle more than 7 million passengers in the year 2017, making it the ninth busiest airport in the country. It has 2 runways but a part of this airport comes under the Indian Air Force, as a result only 1 runway is used for flight arrivals and departures.

* Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport (NAG), Nagpur

Spanning across 1355 acres, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkaris the primary airport that serves Nagpur City in Maharashtra. It was named after Dr. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution. Nagpur Airport caters to a total of 2 international as well as 5 domestic airlines. It also handles approximately 4000 passengers on a daily basis. The airport is equipped with 2 terminals (domestic and international) as well as 2 aerobridges. The new terminal building with state of the art infrastructure was inaugurated in 2008. It features specialized passenger bridges with baggage conveyor and visual docking system.