For those given to triumphalism about the inevitability of India?s emergence as an economic superpower, there is no better reality check than Delhi and Mumbai airports.

Never far from the bottom of global passenger satisfaction rankings, the country?s two main hubs were even closer than usual to paralysis at the start of this month. Aircraft circled interminably as Communist-dominated unions went on strike in their latest attempt to scupper the privatisation of India?s decrepit airport network.