Definition
Changing flights inside an airport's international zone without passing through immigration. You stay airside, so most hubs need no visa from you, provided your bags are checked through and both flights are on one ticket or partner airlines.
What airside means
Every international airport has two sides: landside, before immigration, and airside, after it. If you arrive from Delhi and connect to another international flight without passing immigration, you are in airside transit. You follow the transfer signs, go through a security check and wait at your next gate.
Hubs where Indians commonly transit airside
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Singapore, Istanbul and Kuala Lumpur all let Indian passport holders connect airside without a visa on a through ticket. This is one reason so many Europe-bound Indians fly through the Gulf.
When airside transit is not enough
- Separate tickets: if bags are not checked through, you must exit, collect them and check in again. See self-transfer.
- The US: no airside transit at all; everyone clears immigration.
- The UK and some others: airside transit exists, but Indians may need an airport transit visa.
- Long layovers: airside is fine for four hours. For 14 hours you may want a hotel outside the airport, which needs a visa.
Example
A Chennai family flying Emirates to Milan connects in Dubai in 2 hours 30 minutes. Bags go straight to Milan, nobody needs a UAE visa, and the only document check is the Schengen visa at the gate. If the same family booked a cheap Chennai–Dubai flight and a separate Dubai–Milan fare, they would need UAE visas to recheck their bags.
Practical advice
At check-in in India, confirm that bags are tagged to the final airport and that you hold all boarding passes. Keep at least 90 minutes for a connection at a large hub, and more in peak season. See also layover.