NEW DELHI: The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), India’s busiest aviation hub, is revisiting its strategies to effectively manage the escalating international traffic. With the imminent closure of Terminal 2 (T2) following the expansion of Terminal 1 (T1) later this month, Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar announced that all options are being considered to optimise operations.
Currently, IGI’s combined capacity of T1, T2, and T3 is approximately 10.4-10.9 crore passengers annually, of which 2.2 crore are international, primarily handled by T3. Last year, the airport managed just under 2 crore international passengers. Given the 8-10% annual growth in international traffic and the rising number of domestic-international transfers, there is a pressing need to expand capacity for international flights. Two short-term solutions are being considered to address this capacity crunch within the next 6-12 months: converting T2 into an all-international terminal or adapting a domestic pier in T3 for international flights. A definitive decision on these proposals is yet to be made.
The transition from T2 to the expanded T1 will occur in phases, beginning after security clearance is received later this month. This phased transition is expected to be completed within two months, with approximately 15-day intervals between each phase. IndiGo, India’s largest airline, has raised concerns over this arrangement. Post-transition, IndiGo’s international flights would operate from T3, while its domestic flights would be based at T1, posing significant logistical challenges. Conversely, the AI Group would operate both international and most domestic flights from T3, creating a disparity in passenger transfer burdens between T1 and T3. IndiGo has proposed either the addition of an international wing at T1 or the operation of some domestic flights from T3 to alleviate this issue.
To manage passenger transfers between T1 and T3, DIAL plans to use buses for city-side transfers due to the absence of an air train or automated people mover (APM). DIAL is also focusing on airside baggage transfers for passengers connecting within the same airline group. For instance, passengers flying from Patna to Istanbul via Delhi on IndiGo will not need to reclaim their bags at T1 for the domestic to international leg of their journey. For returns requiring customs clearance, DIAL is collaborating with government agencies to streamline the process. To accommodate transfer traffic, DIAL is constructing a hotel outside T3 and exploring similar setups at the T1 car park. Meanwhile, Aerocity, part of the Delhi Airport complex undergoing significant expansion by Bharti Realty, is evolving into a commercial hub. Aerocity now boasts high occupancy rates at its hotels and is set to expand its retail space from 18 lakh square feet to 3 crore square feet.
This comprehensive approach by DIAL aims to enhance operational efficiency and passenger convenience, ensuring that IGI remains a leading global aviation hub amidst growing traffic demands.
