Deck:
Strong year-end global travel demand has pushed major international airports into high-capacity operations, with Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport emerging as one of the world’s busiest hubs alongside leading gateways in Dubai, the US, and the UK.
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Global air travel demand surged sharply during the year-end holiday season in December 2025, with several international airports operating at near-peak capacity as festive and leisure travel reached its annual high point.
Amid this global travel rush, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) emerged as one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs, reflecting India’s growing importance in international air traffic flows. The airport stood alongside major global gateways in Dubai, North America, and the United Kingdom, which also witnessed heavy passenger and flight movements during the period.
The strong performance of IGIA has been driven by a combination of rising outbound travel from India, robust domestic feeder traffic, and expanding international connectivity. Airlines increased frequencies on high-demand routes, particularly on sectors catering to holiday travel, visiting-friends-and-relatives (VFR) traffic, and long-haul international journeys.
Aviation industry observers note that Delhi’s emergence among the world’s busiest airports during the December peak underscores the structural growth of India’s aviation market. Improved airport infrastructure, higher capacity utilisation, and sustained passenger confidence have positioned IGIA as a key global transit and origin hub.
As 2025 draws to a close, the intense activity at leading international airports highlights a resilient global aviation sector. For India, Delhi’s strong showing during the year-end rush signals a confident outlook for air travel demand heading into the New Year.
