Delhi airport climbs 11 places to outrank Dubai in OAG’s 2026 connectivity index
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport rose to 28th in OAG’s 2026 Megahubs ranking from 39th a year earlier, while Dubai fell to 31st. IndiGo’s domestic feeder network and international expansion are strengthening Delhi’s role as a low-cost aviation hub and airport retail catchment.
What happened
Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport · Delhi airport rose to 28th in OAG's 2026 global connectivity ranking, aided by IndiGo's domestic feeder network and
Key facts
- Delhi ranked 28th globally in OAG Megahubs 2026, up 11 places from 39th in 2025
- Dubai fell from 15th to 31st
- IndiGo accounts for 40% of flights at Delhi
- Delhi ranks ninth globally in OAG's Low-Cost Megahubs index
- Low-cost carriers account for 57% of Delhi capacity
What changed
Delhi airport rose to 28th in OAG's 2026 global connectivity ranking, aided by IndiGo's domestic feeder network and international expansion. Delhi and Mumbai are also gaining low-cost hub prominence, strengthening India's aviation and airport-consumer ecosystem.
Why this matters
Delhi’s 11-place connectivity surge expands the airport’s retail catchment, making passenger-flow-led tenant mix and value-led international retail increasingly important.
What to watch
- IndiGo international route additions, widebody deliveries and Delhi hub scheduling that increases same-day connections.
- DIAL terminal expansion, new gate openings, baggage-transfer improvements and security wait-time trends.
- Delhi airport international passenger growth versus domestic passenger growth and average connection duration.
- Duty-free sales per departing international passenger, F&B transaction volumes and lounge occupancy.
- Dubai’s connectivity recovery, airline schedule shifts and fare competition that could pull transfer traffic back to Gulf hubs.