Bengaluru has soared to the top spot in India for domestic airport connectivity, with 72 domestic airports now connected to the city. This achievement, highlighted by IndiGo’s recent launch of a route to Jabalpur, pushes Bengaluru past Delhi, which currently boasts 71 domestic connections.
But the story goes beyond just domestic flights. To better understand India’s aviation landscape, let’s delve into the top 10 airports and their connectivity, both domestically and internationally. This analysis relies on data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company.
Dominating the Skies: Delhi and Mumbai Take the Lead
Delhi, India’s largest airport, remains the champion with a staggering 140 destinations served, including 71 domestic and 69 international. This solidifies Delhi’s position as the Indian city with the most connections to the world. Closely behind is Mumbai, the financial capital, boasting 111 connections, with 62 domestic and 49 international destinations. OAG, a global travel data provider, recently ranked Delhi as the 24th most connected airport worldwide, while London retains its top spot.
Bengaluru’s Rise and Hyderabad’s Growth
Bengaluru follows with 100 destinations, including 72 domestic and 28 international. This number is expected to rise in the coming months. Hyderabad secures the fourth position with 80 destinations, comprising 62 domestic and 18 international. Hyderabad’s connectivity is poised for an increase as IndiGo expands its winter schedule, introducing flights to Kanpur, Rajkot, Agra, and other destinations.
The Southern and Eastern Giants: Chennai and Kolkata
Two state-owned metro airports, Chennai and Kolkata, tie for the fifth spot with 62 destinations each. Chennai’s connectivity is split into 41 domestic and 21 international routes, while Kolkata leans more towards domestic connections with 49 domestic and 13 international destinations.
The Rise of Ahmedabad and Kochi’s International Focus
Ahmedabad takes the seventh position with 49 destinations, including 35 domestic and 14 international. Kochi stands out as the only airport on the list where international connectivity exceeds domestic connectivity. Kochi connects to 33 destinations, with 14 domestic and 19 international.
Closing the Top 10: Pune and Guwahati
Pune and Guwahati round out the top 10. Pune has the lowest international connectivity, with just two destinations connected, but boasts 34 domestic connections. Guwahati, the gateway to the Northeast, enjoys 22 domestic and five international destinations.
Looking Ahead: Future Growth and Challenges
Future ambitions for Indian airports include reaching 150 destinations for Delhi and 50 for Ahmedabad. Expansion on the international front hinges on opening up bilateral agreements. Challenges exist, particularly for airports like Pune, which operates as a civil enclave within a defense airfield, limiting its capacity for expansion. Mumbai, facing capacity constraints, also struggles to grow.
Bilateral Agreements: A Key Hurdle
Bilateral agreements, determining which airlines can fly between countries and the number of seats they can offer, pose a significant obstacle to international connectivity for many airports beyond Delhi and Mumbai. For example, Amritsar is not a point of call for Air Canada, limiting its access to Canadian markets. Similarly, while there’s a surge in flights between Malaysia and India, bilateral constraints prevent the full benefit from reaching smaller cities beyond major metros. Revisions to bilateral agreements, particularly those expanding points of call rather than just increasing seat numbers, are crucial for expanding India’s international connectivity.
Competing with Regional Hubs
India aspires to establish a major aviation hub. However, the nation faces stiff competition from established hubs like Singapore and Dubai. Singapore, a city-state, boasts 145 destinations, while Dubai, home to Emirates (sometimes jokingly referred to as India’s national carrier), connects to 245 destinations worldwide. Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Doha, and Abu Dhabi also offer strong one-stop connections to Indian travelers.
Geopolitical Factors and Airline Strategies
Geopolitical events can impact connectivity. In 2019, Pakistan banned overflights to India, extending flight times and creating other complications. Despite the challenges, airlines like IndiGo are actively expanding their networks, particularly on international routes. Air India is focusing on strengthening its domestic network by connecting its own stations, creating a more dense network. IndiGo’s recent ventures into non-metro international routes are a promising sign, with Air India expected to follow suit.
While India may not achieve the sheer volume of connections seen in city-states like Singapore and Dubai, the country’s vast domestic market and growing demand for international travel create a strong foundation for future growth. The focus on expanding bilateral agreements, streamlining airport infrastructure, and collaborating with airlines will be key to realizing India’s ambition of becoming a leading aviation hub.
