Delhi Airport Redraws Terminal Connectivity Strategy

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is preparing for a significant operational shift that could reshape how millions of passengers navigate India’s busiest aviation hub. Regulatory clearances are being sought to enable airside transfers between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, a move that would allow select passengers to transit without exiting the secure airport zone. If approved, the change could take effect within the next few months, easing pressure on landside roads and shortening connection times. 

The proposal involves dedicated airside buses operating between the terminals, covering a distance of nearly eight kilometres while crossing active taxiways. Security and aviation safety regulators are reviewing the plan, focusing on passenger screening protocols and aircraft movement safety. Once cleared, the service is expected to initially cater to passengers transferring between domestic and international flights, while domestic-only transfers will continue via city-side routes. For Delhi Airport, the shift is not just about convenience. Airport planners see airside transfers as a way to optimise terminal capacity without adding new buildings, a critical consideration as passenger volumes rebound and long-term expansion decisions remain in flux. Terminal 3, currently the sole international terminal, is also set to expand its international handling capacity by converting one of its domestic piers entirely for overseas operations. This reconfiguration is expected ahead of the peak summer travel season.

Urban mobility experts say these incremental changes reflect a broader trend in airport planning: prioritising operational efficiency and passenger flow over capital-heavy construction. The long-discussed automated people mover linking terminals, Aerocity, and cargo facilities remains stalled, largely due to financial viability concerns tied to the airport operator’s current concession period. With less than a decade left before a major contractual milestone, large-scale investments without long-term certainty are unlikely. Instead, attention has shifted to surface and metro-based connectivity. A new metro corridor under development is expected to link Terminal 1 with Aerocity, from where passengers can already access Terminal 3. While this multi-line transfer lacks the simplicity of a dedicated airport train, it offers a lower-carbon alternative to road-based movement and integrates the airport more closely with the city’s public transport network.

On the road side, transport authorities have revived plans for a grade-separated corridor between the terminals, alongside widening an existing tunnel that serves airport-bound traffic. The timing is critical as Aerocity evolves into a major commercial and retail district, intensifying travel demand around the airport precinct. Taken together, these developments signal a pragmatic recalibration of Delhi Airport’s growth strategy. Rather than dramatic expansion, the focus is shifting to better use of existing assets, regulatory coordination, and multimodal connectivity. For passengers and the city alike, the next phase will test whether incremental infrastructure upgrades can deliver smoother, more resilient airport operations in a rapidly growing urban region.

Delhi Airport Redraws Terminal Connectivity Strategy