Ruth Haines
Indira Gandhi International Airport, named after the former Prime Minister of India, is located in New Delhi, around 10km from the city centre. The airport was previously known as Palam Airport, which began operations in 1962, taking over from Safdarjung Airport, Delhi's first airport. On 2 May 1986, with the inauguration of the new international terminal (Terminal 2), the airport was renamed Indira Gandhi International Airport. Terminal 3, which opened later, has transformed the airport into India's and South Asia's largest and most important aviation hub.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of renaming to Indira Gandhi International Airport | 1986 |
| Former name | Palam Airport |
| Year of relocation of commercial passenger operations from Safdarjung Airport to Palam Airport | 1962 |
| Year of Indian Airlines Flight 440 crash | 1973 |
| Year of Air India Flight 123 engine failure | 1978 |
| Year of Air France Boeing 747 accident | 1988 |
| Year of Air India Boeing 747 engine failure | 1990 |
| Year of Uzbekistan Airlines Tupolev Tu-154 fire | 1993 |
| Year of Sahara Airlines Boeing 737-2R4C crash | 1994 |
| Named after | Indira Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India |
| Area | 5,106 acres |
| Location | West Delhi |
| Distance from the city centre | 10 km |
| Management | Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) |
| Largest aviation hub in | India and South Asia |
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What You'll Learn
- The airport was renamed Indira Gandhi International Airport on 2 May 1986
- It is named after Indira Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India
- It is the busiest airport in India in terms of daily flight traffic
- Terminal 3 has India's first automated parking management system
- The airport offers lounges, dining options, and duty-free shopping
The airport was renamed Indira Gandhi International Airport on 2 May 1986
The airport now known as Indira Gandhi International Airport has existed in some form since at least the 1960s. Commercial passenger operations were relocated from Safdarjung Airport (Delhi's first airport) to Palam Airport in 1962. At that time, Palam had a peak capacity of approximately 1,300 passengers per hour. By 1979-80, a total of 3 million domestic and international passengers were flying into and out of Palam Airport annually.
Due to an increase in air traffic in the 1970s and 1980s, an additional terminal was constructed with nearly four times the area of the old Palam terminal. On 2 May 1986, the new international terminal, Terminal 2, was inaugurated, and the airport was renamed Indira Gandhi International Airport. The old domestic airport (Palam) became known as Terminal 1, divided into separate buildings: 1A, 1B, and 1C. Blocks 1A and 1B were used for international operations, while domestic operations took place in Block 1C.
The airport is named after Indira Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India. It is located in West Delhi, about 10 km from the city centre, and is the busiest airport in India in terms of daily flight traffic. The airport has a range of facilities, including seating, shops, restaurants, lounges, and complimentary Wi-Fi. It also offers efficient baggage handling and comfortable lounges.
Terminal 3, which opened later, has India's first automated parking management and guidance system in a multi-level car park, with seven levels and a capacity of 4,300 cars. Terminal 3 has also improved the airport's reputation, along with the renovation of Terminal 2.
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It is named after Indira Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India
The airport is named after Indira Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India. It is the primary airport of the National Capital Region of Delhi, situated in West Delhi, 16 km (10 mi) southwest of New Delhi's city centre. It is spread over an area of 5,106 acres. Indira Gandhi International Airport is the busiest airport in India in terms of daily flight traffic and the second busiest in terms of passenger traffic after Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.
Indira Gandhi served as the third Prime Minister of India from 1966 to 1977 and then again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984. She was the only female Prime Minister of India and a central figure of the Indian National Congress party. She was known for her socialist policies and for her role during the state of emergency in India from 1975 to 1977, a controversial period in Indian history where civil liberties were suspended and press censorship was introduced.
Indira Gandhi International Airport was previously known as Palam Airport, which began operations in 1962 when commercial passenger operations were relocated from Safdarjung Airport, Delhi's first airport. The airport was renamed Indira Gandhi International Airport on 2 May 1986, with the inauguration of the new international terminal, Terminal 2. The old Palam terminal became known as Terminal 1, handling domestic flights.
The airport has undergone significant expansion and development over the years. Terminal 3, which opened later, features India's first automated parking management and guidance system in a multi-level car park. The airport provides complimentary Wi-Fi service across all terminals and offers a range of amenities, including lounges, duty-free shopping, and dining options.
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$19.9
It is the busiest airport in India in terms of daily flight traffic
Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi, India, is the country's busiest airport in terms of daily flight traffic. It is located in the capital city of India, approximately 10 km from the city centre, and is spread over an area of 5,106 acres. The airport is named after Indira Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India.
The history of the airport dates back to 1962 when commercial passenger operations were relocated from Safdarjung Airport, Delhi's first airport, to Palam Airport. Palam Airport, now known as Terminal 1, had a peak capacity of approximately 1,300 passengers per hour. The increase in air traffic in the 1970s and 1980s led to the construction of an additional terminal, Terminal 2, which is significantly larger than the old Palam terminal. Terminal 2 was inaugurated on 2 May 1986, and with this, the airport was renamed Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Over the years, Indira Gandhi International Airport has undergone expansions and improvements, including the construction of Terminal 3, which has enhanced the airport's capacity and facilities. Terminal 3 boasts India's first automated parking management and guidance system in a multi-level car park, with a capacity of 4,300 cars. The terminal also features a range of amenities, such as lounges, duty-free shopping, dining options, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
The airport has consistently demonstrated its commitment to passenger satisfaction and has received accolades for its services. In 2023, the Airports Council International (ACI) recognised Delhi Airport with the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Best Airport award for airports serving over 40 million passengers per annum. On 16 December 2024, the airport became the first in India to connect directly to 150 domestic and international destinations with the launch of a Thai AirAsia X direct flight between Delhi and Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport.
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Terminal 3 has India's first automated parking management system
Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India, features the country's first automated parking management and guidance system. The airport is named after Indira Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India, and is located in Palam, Delhi, 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of the New Delhi Railway Station and 16 km (9.9 mi) from the city centre.
The automated parking system at Terminal 3 spans seven levels and can accommodate up to 4,300 cars. It is connected to the terminal building by travelators, providing a convenient parking experience for travellers. The multi-level car park also includes a range of amenities, such as a driver's lounge, a snack bar, and LCD screens.
The construction of Terminal 3 was completed in 2010 at a cost of Rs128.5 billion ($2.7 billion). The terminal was designed to facilitate the 2010 Commonwealth Games held in Delhi and to accommodate the increasing passenger traffic at the airport. Terminal 3 covers 5.4 million square feet (502,000 square metres) and can handle 34 million passengers annually, contributing to the airport's overall capacity.
Indira Gandhi International Airport is the busiest airport in India and South Asia, handling close to 70 million passengers a year as of 2020. It is expected to handle 100 million passengers by 2030. The airport offers a range of amenities, including duty-free shopping, diverse dining options, lounges, and efficient baggage handling. The airport also provides complimentary Wi-Fi access in all its terminals.
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The airport offers lounges, dining options, and duty-free shopping
Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi, India, is named after the country's former prime minister, Indira Gandhi. The airport was renamed Indira Gandhi International Airport on 2 May 1986, with the inauguration of the new international terminal, Terminal 2. The airport has since undergone several expansions and renovations, including the construction of Terminal 3, which has transformed it into India and South Asia's largest and most important aviation hub.
The airport offers a seamless travel experience with efficient baggage handling, comfortable lounges, duty-free shopping, diverse dining options, and convenient transportation services. The lounges at the airport are operated by airlines and other service providers, offering amenities such as Wi-Fi, hot food, drinks, and showers. Some lounges are complimentary for business or first-class passengers and frequent flyer program members, while economy-class passengers may have to pay a fee to access them.
The dining options at the airport cater to a range of tastes and preferences. From local Indian cuisine to international brands like Starbucks, travellers can enjoy a variety of culinary experiences. The airport's duty-free shopping also offers a wide range of products, including cosmetics from India's first beauty brand, Colorbar Cosmetics, and pure Pashmina shawls. Additionally, the airport provides complimentary Wi-Fi service in all terminals, making it convenient for travellers to stay connected.
For travellers with longer layovers, the airport's proximity to Delhi's city centre provides an opportunity to explore the city's diverse cultures, historical monuments, and shopping destinations. Delhi is a massive metropolitan area with a rich history and a plethora of attractions, including Qutub Minar, the Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, and the Air Force Museum, located next to Terminal 1. The airport's website also provides information on nearby hotels, ranging from luxury 5-star accommodations to contemporary options with outdoor pools, ensuring a comfortable stay for travellers.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport was renamed the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on 2 May 1986, with the inauguration of the new international terminal, Terminal 2. The old Palam terminal became Terminal 1.
Indira Gandhi International Airport is the busiest airport in India in terms of daily flight traffic and the second busiest in terms of passenger traffic after Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. In 1979-80, 3 million passengers flew into and out of the airport.
The airport features complimentary Wi-Fi, duty-free shopping, dining options, lounges, and seating arrangements in all sections.
It is recommended that passengers departing on international flights from Indira Gandhi International Airport arrive 4 hours before their flight. For domestic flights, 3 hours should be sufficient.
Indira Gandhi International Airport has been the site of several notable aviation incidents. In 1973, an Indian Airlines flight crashed during its approach, killing 48 of the 65 passengers and crew on board. In 1988, an Air France Boeing 747 suffered an accident during takeoff, and in 1990, an Air India Boeing 747 experienced a fire upon landing.
