Delhi airport may get two international terminals very soon
As per a recent update, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) may get two international terminals soon.
As of now, Terminal 3 at IGI is the only facility handling all international flights. On the other hand, Terminal 1 (T1) at IGI is going through some major renovations that are expected to finish by September, 2023. After renovations, the Delhi airport might start international flights from T1.
As per a source, “The expansion was planned as an all-domestic terminal. During Covid, work on T1 was slowed down in 2020 and 2021.
Subsequently, the rebound in air travel has been beyond what one had anticipated. So, T1 work will be completed as per the original plan to avoid any delay, given the rise in traffic and, then, clearance will be sought from multiple government agencies concerned to have facilities for international traffic at T1”.
It has also been reported that it is just a matter of time before T1 starts handling domestic as well as international flights, as soon as it gets all the government clearance. It is being said that gradually T3 will be for Tata Group airlines (Air India-Vistara and AI Express-AirAsia India combined) and foreign carriers while T1 will handle budget airlines, like IndiGo. T2, on the other hand, will take care of all domestic flights.
Given the current situation, transporting between all the terminals is getting difficult for passengers as there are no automated movers (like air trains). There have been times, when passengers have ended up at the wrong terminal and, then, had to rush to their designated terminal.
The problem would be solved if the new plan comes into effect.