The Indian government is holding discussions with major players in the aviation industry, such as IndiGo (6E) and Air India (AI), along with the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), to establish the country's inaugural international aviation hub in Delhi. This move comes as a result of the remarkable recovery seen in both domestic and international air traffic.

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia expressed the importance of having an aviation hub in India to serve the country, citing that the existing international hubs were either in neighboring countries or far away.

International Hub in Delhi

In further details, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated that the Ministry of Civil Aviation has already entered advanced discussions with Indira Gandhi International Airport's operator Delhi International Airport Ltd, which is a joint venture between GMR Group and Airports Authority of India (AAI).

Further, with airlines IndiGo and Air India regarding the establishment of the country's first international aviation hub in Delhi.

The three companies have been requested to investigate global best practices to address any uncertainties in scheduling between international and domestic flights and to improve connectivity from Delhi.

In a statement regarding the establishment of an international aviation hub in Delhi, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that efforts are being made to reduce the connecting time between two flights at airport terminals for increased flexibility.

He also mentioned that the concerned parties, including IGIA, IndiGo, and Air India, are in talks to engage a consultant to examine global best practices to ensure smooth scheduling between international and domestic flights for improved connectivity.

Mega Orders by Air India

According to Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Minister of Civil Aviation, the need for such a hub has become vital due to recent events, including Air India's order of 470 narrow and widebody aircraft and IndiGo's expansion into international destinations.

Scindia emphasized the importance of providing point-to-point travel for domestic fliers internationally and attracting them to Indian carriers rather than relying on hubs located outside the country.

Currently, passengers to and from India mainly use aviation hubs in Dubai, Doha, Bangkok, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur for connecting flights. The government aims to reduce connecting times between flights at airport terminals and provide enhanced connectivity from Delhi.

The Noida International Airport, one of the world's largest under-construction airports, is expected to be completed by the last quarter of 2024.