Indian Bureaucracy News, New Delhi, October 2, 2025 | The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has announced that New Delhi will host the 23rd edition of Routes Asia in 2027, a biennial forum where airlines, airports, regulators and tourism boards negotiate new routes and strengthen regional connectivity.
Shri Vipin Kumar IAS (Bihar 1996), Chairman of AAI, said the event comes at a critical phase for India’s aviation sector. “Hosting Routes Asia will allow India to highlight its expanding aviation infrastructure and strengthen engagement with global carriers. It is also an opportunity to forge new partnerships that will enhance connectivity, support inclusive growth and reflect the scale of India’s aviation ambitions,” he noted.
More than 80 international and domestic carriers are expected to attend Routes Asia 2027, showcasing India’s emergence as a regional aviation hub. Independent analysis of earlier editions shows that host airports have recorded an average 6.9% higher network growth within three years, compared to peer airports, making the event a catalyst for expanding route connectivity.
India’s airlines are already preparing for such expansion, with record aircraft orders—Air India’s combined Airbus and Boeing agreement for nearly 500 aircraft and IndiGo’s 500 Airbus A320 family jets among the largest single orders globally. Rising demand from the middle class has further accelerated both domestic and international travel.
AAI, which manages over 130 airports, is also engaged in a series of capacity enhancements—new terminals at Delhi, Bengaluru and Lucknow, modernisation of regional airports, and the development of greenfield facilities at Jewar near Noida and Mopa in Goa. Beyond infrastructure, AAI plays a role in bilateral air service negotiations, ensuring that traffic rights and connectivity expansion align with infrastructure delivery.
Mr Steven Small, Director of Routes, said the growth trajectory in India offers “an exciting opportunity for the route development community.” He added that the Delhi edition would allow the country to showcase its ongoing infrastructure investments to the decision-makers “who determine where the region’s aircraft fly.”
For AAI, the event is also positioned as a platform to highlight India’s broader economic and tourism potential. As Shri Vipin Kumar noted, Routes Asia 2027 will help India “accelerate air connectivity, drive economic growth and showcase the wonders of Incredible India.”
India’s civil aviation sector surpassed pre-pandemic passenger traffic in FY24, crossing 150 million fliers. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) projects that India is on course to become the world’s third-largest aviation market by the early 2030s.
What is Routes Asia?
Routes Asia is the only dedicated air service development event for the Asia-Pacific region. Held annually in different host cities, it brings together airlines, airports, tourism authorities and regulators to negotiate new routes and review existing services. The forum is recognised for its measurable impact, studies show that host airports typically record up to 6.9% faster route network growth within three years compared to similar airports. Past editions have been hosted in Chiang Mai, Cebu, Adelaide and Langkawi. The 2027 New Delhi edition will mark India’s first time as host.