The study points out another interesting trend: the rise of solo travel especially on international routes. Data from 2025 shows that there are more solo travellers in June, September and October than other months. This means more people are becoming comfortable travelling alone. As this trend continues, the number of women travelling is becoming prominent. For many women today, flying alone is no longer an unusual thing, it is part of modern travel.
At the same time, the demographic profile of travellers are also changing. The 26-40 age group is still the largest group of people who use Delhi Airport. The study also shows that young people between the ages of 18 and 25 are also increasing their presence in the passenger mix. This younger group represents students, early career professionals and native travellers who view air travel as something that is convenient and not something to dream about. Importantly, this rise includes a growing number of young women travelling.
People’s reasons for travelling are also changing. More and more people are travelling within the country to see their family and friends. This is a growing trend since 2022. For a lot of women who travel, flying is a big part of keeping in touch with loved ones in different cities and regions.
The international travel trajectory has been slightly different. In the days and weeks after the pandemic, business travel surged as meeting in-person resumed and global collaborations increased. This segment of travellers has stabilized over time and returned to previous levels. International leisure travel has also been slowly getting better, but it still little below than earlier numbers.
Passenger behaviour is also changing. What it means is people are now changing the way they act while travelling. App-based taxi services are still the most popular choice to get to the airport. This shows how digital mobility platforms are becoming an increasing part of the passenger journey. A lot of passengers are choosing to arrive at the airport earlier than before, often more than three-and-a-half hours before departure. This suggests a preference for a more relaxed and comfortable travel experience.
This study also throws light on the travel frequency. Frequent flyers continue to account for the majority of travellers which highlights the level of familiarity travellers possess with the airport. First time flyers are still a small part of the mix which again highlights Indian aviation industry’s growth trajectory. But there is a section of frequent flyers who have shown a decrease in their flying frequency. This could be due to changing work patterns or the hybrid work culture.
Among all this shift, the growing number of women travellers is noteworthy. It is a key factor in shaping the future of travel through Delhi Airport. It not only reflects the recovery of the aviation sector but a change in how people move around India. Women are now travelling more with increased confidence, independence and intention.
For the folks at Delhi Airport, this data isn’t just numbers on a page. It is a way for us to understand the needs of our passengers better. A code to align our services and experiences for the future. As more women travel and take to the skies for work, education, family or exploration, Delhi Airport continues to provide those means to them and enable their successful journeys.
Each boarding pass represents a story and many of those are written by our women travellers as they create their own path across the world.