Roberta Aguirre
The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi is set to become the world's largest airport. With four runways and a passenger capacity of 70 million, which is expected to increase to 109 million by the end of 2023, it is already the only Indian airport with three runways. The airport has an integrated terminal for both international and domestic flights, with 220 check-in counters, 206 immigration counters, and 14 baggage reclaim belts. The airport also offers a range of amenities, including duty-free shopping, dining options, lounges, and efficient baggage handling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common name | Delhi Airport |
| Official name | Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) |
| Location | Delhi, India |
| No. of terminals | 3 |
| No. of runways | 4 |
| No. of check-in islands | 7 |
| No. of check-in counters | 220 |
| No. of self-baggage drop counters | 14 |
| No. of immigration counters | 206 (100 outbound, 106 inbound) |
| No. of passenger boarding bridges | 78 (including 3 for A380 or similar-sized aircraft) |
| No. of baggage reclaim belts | 14 (including 2 for out-of-gauge bags) |
| No. of rooms in the transit hotel | 100 (68 for domestic, 32 for international) |
| No. of travelators/walkways | 96 (longest is 118 m long) |
| Cargo capacity | 1.25 million tonnes per year |
| Passenger capacity | 70 million (expanding to 109 million by the end of 2023) |
| Special features | Runs entirely on hydropower and solar energy; duty-free shopping and diverse dining options available |
What You'll Learn
The Indira Gandhi International Airport
The airport's new terminal, Terminal 3, was constructed in 37 months and increased the airport's total passenger capacity by 34 million. Terminal 3 is located 1 km away from the air cargo complex, which consists of separate brownfield and greenfield cargo terminals. The brownfield terminal is managed by Celebi Delhi Cargo Management India Pvt. Ltd., a joint venture that started operations in June 2010. The greenfield cargo terminal project consists of two terminals built over plots of 48,000 and 28,500 square meters, respectively.
Terminal 1A, built in 1982 as a temporary structure for international VIPs, was refurbished after a fire in October 1996 and was later closed after Air India shifted operations to Terminal 3 in 2010. Terminals 1 and 2 handle three budget domestic airlines, while all other airlines operate from Terminal 3. The airport boasts an in-line baggage handling system capable of handling 13,000 bags per hour, with 220 check-in counters, 14 self-baggage drops, and 14 baggage reclaim belts.
Delhi Airport offers a range of amenities to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for travellers. These include efficient baggage handling, comfortable lounges, duty-free shopping, diverse dining options, and convenient transportation services. The airport also provides streamlined check-in processes and efficient security procedures, and a seamless transit experience for connecting flights. In June 2022, Delhi International Airport became India's first airport to be fully powered by hydropower and solar energy.
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Delhi Airport's passenger capacity
Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, formerly known as Palam Airport, is the busiest airport in India in terms of passenger traffic since 2009. It is spread over an area of 5,106 acres, situated in Palam, Delhi, 15 km from the New Delhi Railway Station and 16 km from the city centre.
In the financial year of 2023-24, the airport handled 73.6 million passengers, the highest in its history. As of 2024, it is the tenth-busiest airport in the world and the second-busiest airport in the world by seating capacity, with a seating capacity of over 3.6 million seats. The airport is also the fifth busiest in Asia, handling over 65.5 million passengers in 2023.
Indira Gandhi International Airport has a maximum traffic-handling capacity of around 104 million passengers per year, including nearly 22 million international passengers and 82-83 million domestic. Terminal 3, which opened in 2010, increased the airport's total passenger capacity by 34 million, with a capacity to handle 34 million passengers annually. Terminal 2, which opened in 1986, increased the airport's capacity to 12.5 million passengers per year.
The airport has 220 check-in counters, 14 self-baggage drops, 206 immigration counters, 78 passenger boarding bridges, and 14 baggage reclaim belts. The arrival area is equipped with 14 baggage carousels. The airport has a capacity of 1,500 slots per day, with the potential to increase this by 500-600 slots. On an hourly basis, the airport has the potential for over 110 aircraft movements per hour in the final stage of runway optimisation, up from a current capacity of nearly 84 movements per hour.
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Runway count
The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi is India's largest airport and the only airport in the country with four runways. The fourth runway was inaugurated in July 2023, marking a significant milestone in the airport's expansion project. The new runway is 4.4 kilometres long and is parallel to the third runway on the southern side.
The addition of the fourth runway is expected to increase the airport's capacity to handle more flights and passenger traffic. Currently, the Delhi airport handles around 1,500 aircraft movements every day and has a capacity of 70 million passengers per year. With the new runway and terminal expansion, the airport's passenger handling capacity is expected to increase to 109 million annually.
The fourth runway will also result in enhanced operational efficiency. The taxiing time for aircraft is expected to reduce to around 10-12 minutes from 20 minutes earlier, thanks to the addition of the dual Eastern Cross Taxiways (ECT). The ECT will connect the northern and southern airfields on the eastern side of the airport, allowing wide-body aircraft like the A380 and B777 to land and take off easily.
The development of the fourth runway and the ECT is part of the airport's commitment to providing world-class aviation infrastructure and services while prioritising sustainable development. The airport aims to reduce carbon emissions and enhance the flying experience for passengers. The traditional halogen runway lights have been replaced with LED lights, and the use of ECT is expected to save around 350 kilograms of fuel each time an aircraft taxis through the runway.
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Airport terminals
Indira Gandhi International Airport, which serves as the primary airport for New Delhi, India, is a large and busy airport with three terminals. Terminal 1 is located in the northeast corner of the IGI Complex, while Terminals 2 and 3 are co-located in the southwest. Terminal 1 was built in 1982 as a temporary structure for international VIPs and was later refurbished and upgraded. Terminal 2, which handles domestic flights, was inaugurated in 1986 and can accommodate up to 15 million passengers annually. Terminal 3, the largest and busiest terminal in India, serves both international and domestic flights and has a capacity of 40 million passengers per year. It covers 5.4 million square feet and is spread across five or six levels.
The airport offers a range of amenities, including premium lounges, shopping and dining options, and a complimentary shuttle service between terminals. It also provides free Wi-Fi, baggage service desks, and smoking zones. The airport has an integrated terminal system for international and domestic flights, with a high-capacity inline baggage handling system, common check-in islands, and numerous immigration counters and passenger boarding bridges. The cargo operations at the airport are also significant, with separate brownfield and greenfield cargo terminals managed by different joint ventures. The airport is easily accessible via the Magenta and Orange Line metro trains, with stations located near each terminal.
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Airport amenities
Indira Gandhi International Airport, also known as Delhi Airport, is India's largest and most advanced airport. The airport has a variety of amenities to make the travel experience smooth and hassle-free.
Delhi Airport has a range of facilities to ensure a comfortable journey for its passengers. The airport boasts an efficient system with 220 check-in counters, 14 self-baggage drops, and 14 baggage reclaim belts. It also has 100 rooms in its transit hotel, catering to both domestic and international passengers. The airport also has 96 automatic travelators, with the longest being 118 metres in length.
For passengers seeking relaxation, Delhi Airport offers a selection of paid lounges with comfortable seating and recliners. These lounges provide amenities such as premium food, snacks, Wi-Fi, flight monitors, newspapers, magazines, TVs, and charging stations. Alcoholic beverages are also available for an additional fee. The Air India Maharaja Lounge International T3 and the Encalm Privé Lounge feature quiet zones and sleeping pods for those seeking a peaceful environment.
Additionally, the airport has a range of dining and shopping options, allowing travellers to indulge in some retail therapy or enjoy a meal before their flight.
Delhi Airport also has an air cargo complex located 1 kilometre from Terminal 3, consisting of separate brownfield and greenfield cargo terminals. The brownfield terminal is managed by Celebi Delhi Cargo Management India Pvt. Ltd., a joint venture that started operations in June 2010. A new greenfield terminal is being developed by the Delhi Cargo Service Centre, adding to the airport's cargo handling capacity.
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Frequently asked questions
The Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi is currently the only Indian airport with three runways, with the fourth one under construction. The airport caters to 70 million passengers, with the number expected to rise to 109 million by the end of the year.
The airport's Terminal 1A was built in 1982 as a temporary structure for international VIPs. Terminal 3 is located 1 km away from the air cargo complex. The new terminal increased the airport's total passenger capacity by 34 million.
The New Delhi Airport is one of the biggest airports in India, with 70 million passengers catered to annually. The Indian aviation industry has been growing rapidly, with 74 small and big airports built in the past 9 years.
The New Delhi Airport has an in-line baggage handling system that can handle 13,000 bags per hour. It also has a 100-room transit hotel for domestic and international passengers, and 96 automatic travelators/walkways, with the longest being 118 meters in length.
