You see, as of 2024, there are actually over one hundred airports in India, 137 Airports to be precise. And yes, the majority of these airports are domestic ones, but there are about 34 operational international airports too. And those ones are pretty huge, to be honest. How huge are we talking about? Well, you’ll come to find out that in just a few moments. That’s because today we are about to go on a little detour to explore the top 10 biggest airports in India as of 2024. So, if you always wanted to know what India’s biggest and busiest airports look like, then keep on reading. Here we go.
1. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad
The largest airport in the country, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, spreads over 5,500 acres and is ahead in several factors. It was the first to have started e-boarding for both domestic and international passengers. Located in Shamshabad, Hyderabad, it has 12 Passenger Boarding Bridges, 19 Self-check-in Counters, 46 Immigration Counters, and a VIP Lounge. It was developed for handling heavy passenger and cargo volumes and serviced more than 21 million passengers and over 140,000 tonnes of cargo from April 2022 to March 2023.
2. Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi
Occupying the second spot, Indira Gandhi International Airport sprawls across 5,106 acres in New Delhi. It is the busiest hub in India having the most for any of the airports in India with a total of four runways. It is located in Palam, Delhi, and it can serve over 37 million passengers every year. It has also undergone drastic changes, like the recent dual elevated eastern cross taxiways, including an additional runway laid in July 2023 for continuous operations and much greater connectivity for it to stand as a major means of transport in the region.
3. Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore
Covering 4,000 acres, Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore is third in line. It was the first in South India to have two parallel runways and is known for innumerable eco-friendly measures, like being the first totally solar-powered airport in the state. The airport was launched in 2008. Since then, an additional new second terminal, work on which started in December 2022, has been spread to keep pace with the increasing travel needs from and to Bangalore and to further up its connectivity with international destinations.
4. Manohar International Airport, Goa
Also known as Mopa Airport, Manohar International Airport lies in North Goa and spans 2,132 acres. Opened in January 2023, this new airport now serves as the second entry for international flights to the state of Goa, the other being the older Dabolim Airport. The airport has been named after a former Defence Minister and Chief Minister of Goa and has been fitted with modern setups, such as an ATC tower, cargo terminal, and a well-equipped food court. It’s fine location and top facilities are bound to only raise the tourism rate and, in turn, boost the region’s economy.
5. Dabolim Airport, Goa
Dabolim Airport, set on 1,700 acres, is part of a naval air base and manages both domestic and international flights. It accommodates domestic and international flights traveling to and from this enchanting beach destination. This airport was established in the year 1955 and has been serving as the lifeline for all those traveling to the beautiful landscapes and beaches of Goa. The fully functional integrated terminal of the airport was constructed in the year 2013.
6. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata
Just 15 km away from Kolkata’s bustling city center, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport stretches over 1,640 acres, making it the largest airport in Eastern India. The airport is configured with two parallel runways and three terminals, designed to process 18 million passengers every year. It is also the sixth busiest airport in the country, built for domestic passengers and cargo. Built with modern facilities like CAT-II ILS for safe landings during the night, 78 immigration counters, and 128 check-in counters, the airport makes sure that your journey starts quite hassle-free, whether you are a first-timer to the city or a frequenter.
7. Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi
Covering 1,568 acres in Ranchi, Birsa Munda Airport is named after the legendary Indian tribal freedom fighter, Birsa Munda. This airport mostly manages domestic flights and has seen recent upgrades to boost its passenger services. Modern features in place since its opening in March 2013 have meant that this main terminal has been able to handle over 2.4 million passengers in a year without much hassle. It has two new aerobridges and modern cargo facilities fitted with the latest security systems.
8. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai
Occupying 1,500 acres, Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai is the second busiest in India. The facilities are at their best, and the airport caters to over 60 million passengers every year. It accommodates the country’s second-highest ATC tower and facilities like huge car parking, business lounges, and many shops. For both local and international travelers, this place is of utmost importance, and the roads like the Eastern and Western Express Highways provide all that is required for a visit to one of the liveliest cities in India.
9. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur
Spread over 1,355 acres, located only 8 km from the center of Nagpur, the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport has a new terminal built in April 2008, which is serviceable to 550 passengers at its peak. This airport is well-resourced with the latest baggage handling system, a high-capacity parking area, and a high-quality service system for the convenience of passengers.
10. Cochin International Airport, Kochi
As the largest airport in Kerala, Cochin International Airport spreads over 1,300 acres and is celebrated as the world’s first fully solar-powered airport. Developed under a public-private partnership, this airport set the benchmark for modern infrastructure in the development of airports throughout the country. The airport has a total of three passenger terminals and an exclusive cargo terminal.
Conclusion
That’s it for now. These are by far the biggest airports in India as of 2024. Some of them are pretty new, and some have been there for many decades. And if there is some new update to this list, like a new big airport being operational, then worry not, we’ll keep you posted.
