India has emerged as a leading tourist destination for travellers from all over the world. From mountains to beaches and deserts, tourists can find and enjoy all types of attractions in India. All states of the country are replete with a rich history and culture comprised of iconic landmarks, bustling markets, recreational spots and more. To cater to the growing tourism demand, it is integral that the connectivity within and outside the country is well-equipped. India is also growing as a business centre for several organisations, so the need for efficient air travel is more prevalent than ever.
International airports in India are seamlessly catering to the needs of tourists and business travellers from all over the world. Currently, there are 34 operational international airports in India; however, a few of them one-up the others with their exceptional services.
Top 7 airports in India
1. Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi
The biggest airport in India in terms of passenger capacity, Indira Gandhi International Airport is the 12th busiest in the world. The airport has 3 functional runways and three terminals with international and domestic flights flowing in and out. It catered to almost 65.7 million passengers between 2017 and 2018, and this number has increased from there. IGI is replete with shopping spots, fine-dining places and relaxation facilities to make your travel seamless and fun-filled.
Location: Indira Gandhi International Airport is located at Palam, New Delhi, Delhi 110037
2. Dabolim Airport, Goa
Dabolim Airport, also known as Goa International Airport, has one of the most scenic layouts, located beside the sea. The airport also has an Indian Navy Air Base on its premises. Since Goa is one of the leading tourist destinations in India, the runway here operates at its highest capacity of approximately 7.6 million passengers every year. Birmingham, Kyiv, Helsinki, Moscow and Manchester are some of the leading destinations which have flights to and fro Dabolim Airport.
Location: Airport Road, Dabolim, Goa 403801
3. Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore
Kempegowda International Airport is the primary international airport serving the city of Bangalore, India. Located approximately 40 kilometres from the city centre, it is one of the country’s busiest airports, having served almost 25 million passengers in 2017. The airport opened in 2008 and has since expanded significantly to accommodate the growing number of passengers. It features a modern and well-equipped terminal building with various amenities and facilities such as shops, restaurants, lounges, and free Wi-Fi.
Location: KIAL Road, Devanahalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560300
4. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is located in the suburb of Andheri and is one of the best international airports in India. The airport features two terminals – Terminal 1 for domestic flights and Terminal 2 for international flights. Terminal 2 is a modern and well-designed building which was opened in 2014 and has won several awards for its architecture and design. It also features Jaya He GVK New Museum, which has over 5000 exhibits depicting our country’s history and culture. It has flights from almost all world destinations, including London, Paris and Dubai.
Location: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is located in Mumbai, Maharashtra 400099
5. Visakhapatnam International Airport
Visakhapatnam International Airport was upgraded to international status in 2017 and now serves as an essential gateway to the state of Andhra Pradesh and the surrounding region. The airport features a modern terminal building with state-of-the-art facilities such as duty-free shops, restaurants, and lounges. It has a single runway and operates flights to several domestic destinations, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, as well as international destinations, such as Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore. The airport is known for its scenic location, with the Bay of Bengal visible from the runway.
Location: NH 16, Opposite Viman Nagar, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 530009
Also Read: Summer Destinations In India
6. Srinagar Airport
Also known as Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport, Srinagar Airport is situated at an altitude of 5,300 feet above sea level and is surrounded by mountains, making for a scenic approach. It is one of the highest airports in India. The airport has a single runway and is known for its harsh winter conditions, which can cause flight cancellations and delays. Despite this, the airport is well-equipped to handle the influx of tourists during the summer months. Srinagar Airport is known for its unique location and its importance as a gateway to one of the most beautiful regions in India.
Location: Indira Gandhi Road, Humhama, Badgam, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190007
7. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is located in Kolkata and features a modern terminal building with a range of facilities such as shops, restaurants, and lounges. It has two parallel runways and operates flights to domestic and international destinations, including Bangkok, Dubai, and Singapore. The airport is known for its efficient operations and friendly staff, making it a popular choice for travellers visiting the region. It is also known for its unique architecture, which combines traditional Bengali elements with modern design.
Location: Jessore Road, Dumdum, Kolkata, West Bengal 700052
Other airports
Besides these major international airports of India, some other notable airports include:
- Rajiv Gandhi International Airport – Hyderabad, Telangana
- Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport- Amritsar, Punjab
- Veer Savarkar International Airport – Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport – Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Cochin International Airport- Kochi, Kerala
- Jaipur International Airport – Jaipur, Rajasthan
- Chennai International Airport – Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport- Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Air travel to and fro India is continuously evolving and these airports are testimony to this.
