Mumbai, Aug. 4 -- Delhi Airport is now the only airport in India with direct connectivity to 32 of 36 states and union territories, cementing its role as the country's largest domestic hub.
GMR AERO-led Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) has further strengthened its position as India's largest and most connected domestic aviation hub with the commencement of direct scheduled flights between Delhi and Daman. Operated by Alliance Air, the new service expands Delhi Airport's domestic network to 90 destinations, including the seasonal winter destinations of Khajuraho and Jaisalmer.
With the addition of Daman, Delhi Airport has become the only airport in India to provide direct connectivity to 27 states and five union territories. The launch of the Delhi-Daman service is strategically significant as it strengthens connectivity to the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu while advancing the Government of India's vision of enhancing regional air connectivity. The route improves accessibility for citizens, businesses and tourists, integrating Daman more closely into the national aviation network.
Commenting on the expansion, Pradeep Panicker, CEO, DIAL, said, "The launch of direct flights to Daman marks another significant milestone in Delhi Airport's journey towards strengthening domestic air connectivity across India. Reaching 90 domestic destinations-and becoming the only airport in the country to provide direct connectivity to 32 of India's 36 states and union territories-reflects our continued commitment to enhancing accessibility, supporting regional economic growth and providing passengers with a wider range of travel options."
The new service is expected to support tourism by improving access to Daman's beaches, Portuguese heritage and growing hospitality sector, while also facilitating business travel to one of western India's important manufacturing centres for pharmaceuticals, chemicals, plastics, textiles and engineering goods.
Delhi Airport today serves the highest number of domestic destinations in India, supported by more than 1,050 daily domestic flight movements and over 5 million domestic passengers every month, including approximately 1 million domestic-to-domestic transfer passengers.
Among Indian states, Maharashtra is the best connected from Delhi, with direct flights to seven destinations, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, each connected to six destinations. Scheduled domestic services from Delhi Airport are currently operated by Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, Akasa Air, SpiceJet and Alliance Air, providing passengers with extensive connectivity across the country.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Infrastructure Today.