Delhi International Airport (DIAL) is embarking on an ambitious plan to enhance its capacity by 30% in response to the surge in demand for air travel, propelled by Indian airlines’ unprecedented orders for aircraft.
The country’s busiest airport, handling 20% of India’s total passengers in FY24 with a throughput of 73.7 million, is gearing up to accommodate the escalating air traffic. Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO of DIAL, unveiled the expansion blueprint during the CAPA India Aviation Summit, revealing the airport’s intention to elevate its peak runway capacity from 84 to 110 aircraft movements per hour over the next three years. This substantial augmentation, amounting to 500-600 additional slots per day from the current 1,500, underscores DIAL’s commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and passenger convenience.
As part of its ongoing capacity expansion project, valued at ₹9,800 crore, DIAL aims to bolster its terminal capacity from 66 million to 100 million passengers. Key initiatives include the recent inauguration of a fourth runway, positioning Delhi Airport as the sole facility in India with four operational runways, alongside the development of a new domestic terminal slated for full operation by July. The surge in aircraft orders by major carriers like IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa underscores Delhi Airport’s pivotal role as a hub for domestic and international flights. With 100 wide-body aircraft set to join the fleet for international operations, DIAL is proactively gearing up to accommodate the anticipated rise in transit traffic.
Jaipuriar affirmed DIAL’s commitment to augmenting international passenger handling capacity by 40-50% within the next 6-12 months to cater to the escalating demand for seamless connectivity. With transit traffic comprising a significant portion of airport traffic, DIAL aims to position itself as a pivotal South Asian hub, rivalling global aviation giants like Dubai and Changi airports.
In addition to runway enhancements and terminal expansions, DIAL is exploring innovative solutions such as a terminal train to streamline passenger transfers between terminals, reducing reliance on buses and taxis. Jaipuriar emphasized the need for government support, signaling potential funding requests to realize DIAL’s ambitious expansion vision and elevate Delhi Airport’s stature as a premier aviation hub in the region.
