Delhi Airport ranked among world’s top 10 busiest airports: ACI report
The Airports Council International (ACI) World, an international organization that evaluates airport standards, ranked Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in the 10th position among the busiest airports globally in 2023.
If reports are to go by, Delhi airport has hosted more than 72.2 million passengers, which signifies a steady year-on-year growth of 20.36%, highlighting the robust recovery of India’s aviation sector. However, Delhi Airport experienced a slight dip in its ranking, conceding its position to Chicago and potentially missing the 9th spot that it secured in 2022.
ACI’s recent release of the world’s busiest airports for 2023 showcases a shifting landscape driven by the resurgence of international air travel. ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira stressed that global air travel in 2023 was chiefly fueled by the international segment, propelled by several factors.
This revival is evident in the rankings, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport maintaining its status as the busiest airport globally. Notably, Dubai International Airport made a significant leap to the second position, surpassing Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, now ranked third.
Despite not retaining its 2022 position, Delhi Airport maintained a formidable presence within the top 10 busiest airports. In this scenario, Oliveira commented, “The unwavering strength of Istanbul and New Delhi airports keeps them in top ranks, marking significant progress over 2019.”
Delhi Airport’s handling of over 72.2 million passengers in 2023 represents a remarkable year-on-year growth of 20.36% compared to 2022. This positive trajectory signifies a robust recovery within India’s aviation sector. However, data indicates a slight descent from the 9th place in 2022, with Chicago O’Hare Airport surpassing Delhi in 2023.
Overall, global aviation trends depict an industry inching closer to pre-pandemic levels. Passenger traffic surged to nearly 8.5 billion in 2023, marking a 27.2% increase from 2022 and a staggering 93.8% recovery from pre-pandemic levels (2019).
ACI’s ranking system, which taps into data from over 2,600 airports globally, offers invaluable perspectives on airport performance and the demand for travel. Concurrently, Delhi Airport’s enduring position within the world’s top 10 signifies its pivotal status as a prominent international hub and its significant contribution to global connectivity.