Back in 2006, Delhi International had just a few grubby shops and a cafe run by grumpy workers who barely nodded at your coffee order.
Fast-forward six years and the new airport is the envy of many an overseas airport operator. It has dozens of high-end shops and restaurants along with the latest facilities, and it is seriously able to give its European counterparts a run for their money.
Delhi is not alone, as other Indian airports have improved their retail offerings to boost revenue after realising that there was money to be made from all those idle passengers waiting for their flights.
Revenue from airport retail in India reached US$1 billion (Dh3.67bn) last year, according to Asipac Projects, a retail consultancy based in Bangalore.
Two key aspects contributed to the growth of airport retail, the consultancy found.
"The newness of the concept - airport shopping - is one of the key drivers as it is a recent phenomenon in India," says Amit Bagaria, the chairman of Asipac.
"Also, the fact that domestic flights in India are often delayed, so people have extra free time at airports."
26/02/12 Pia Heikkila/The National
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