Owais Crawford
Palam Airport, now known as Indira Gandhi International Airport, is located in the South-West district of Delhi, India. It was established by the British Raj as a base for the Royal Indian Air Force during World War II. In 1962, the airport replaced Safdarjung Airport as Delhi's main airport, as the latter could not support bigger aircraft such as jets. Palam Airport has since undergone significant expansion and modernisation, including the construction of additional terminals and infrastructure upgrades. Today, Indira Gandhi International Airport is the busiest airport in the country, serving New Delhi and offering connections to various domestic and international destinations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Former Name | Palam Airport |
| Current Name | Indira Gandhi International Airport |
| Location | Palam, South West Delhi |
| Distance from New Delhi City Centre | 12-20 km |
| Year of Establishment | 1940s |
| Year of Commercial Passenger Operations | 1962 |
| Climate | Humid subtropical |
| Transportation | Air, rail, road, and metro |
| Metro Line | Magenta Line |
| Metro Station | Palam Metro Station |
| Bus Services | DTC, DIMTS, and chartered buses |
| Airlines | Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, and Air India |
| Terminals | 3 |
| Ranking | No. 1 in Asia Pacific Region |
| Awards | Ranked No. 1 in the world by Airports Council International |
Explore related products
$3.99 $8.99
What You'll Learn
- Palam Airport is now known as Indira Gandhi International Airport
- It is located 12km from New Delhi City Centre
- Palam is a major residential colony in the South West district of Delhi
- Palam Airport was established by the British Raj during World War II
- Terminal 1 of New Delhi airport serves as the Palam domestic airport
Palam Airport is now known as Indira Gandhi International Airport
Palam Airport, formerly RAF Station Palam, was established by the British Raj during World War II as a base for the Royal Indian Air Force. After Indian Independence, the airport was taken over by the Indian Air Force. In 1962, commercial passenger operations were moved from Safdarjung Airport (Delhi's first airport) to Palam Airport, which had a peak capacity of approximately 1,300 passengers per hour.
Due to an increase in air traffic in the 1970s and 1980s, a new international terminal, Terminal 2, was constructed, and the airport was renamed Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on 2 May 1986. The airport is located in Palam, a major residential colony in the South West district of Delhi, India, about 12 kilometres from the city centre. It is well-connected by air, rail, road, and metro, with the IGI Airport metro station serving both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
Indira Gandhi International Airport has since undergone modernisation and expansion, becoming the busiest airport in the country and ranking number 1 in the Asia Pacific Region by Airports Council International. Terminal 3, which opened in December 2013, is the eighth-largest terminal in the world, covering an area of 5.4 million square feet. The airport has three runways and is served by over sixty domestic and international carriers.
Indira Gandhi International Airport has a rich historical past, with various notable incidents occurring over the years. In 1973, Indian Airlines Flight 440 crashed during its approach to Palam Airport, killing 48 of the 65 passengers and crew on board. In 1978, an Air India flight aborted takeoff due to engine failure and veered off the runway, resulting in substantial damage. In 1988, an Air France Boeing 747 suffered an accident during takeoff, affecting 275 passengers and crew.
Cannes, France: Which Airport to Choose?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Adventure Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81rRihqWqgL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Scenic Drives Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/814R4OsGtCL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
It is located 12km from New Delhi City Centre
Palam Airport, now known as Indira Gandhi International Airport, is situated about 12 kilometres from New Delhi City Centre. It is located in the South-West district of Delhi, in an area with a rich history. Palam is a major residential colony, and the airport was once a British Raj Air Force base during World War II.
The airport has undergone significant changes over the years, with expansions and modernisations to cater to increasing air traffic. It is now the busiest airport in the country and has won awards for its transformation. The airport is easily accessible, with a well-established transportation network. It is connected by air, rail, road, and metro, with free shuttle services provided by the Airport Authority of India for transfers between terminals.
Palam is home to the Palam Mosque, the only surviving building of Babur's reign in Delhi. It also features a Toilet Museum and an Air Force Museum. The area has a subtropical climate, with a warm season lasting from April to July and a cold season from December to February.
The airport serves as a hub for domestic and international carriers, with three runways and over sixty domestic and international carriers. It provides connections to various destinations within India and worldwide. Terminal 1 of the New Delhi airport, located 12 kilometres from the city centre, serves as the Palam domestic airport, catering to domestic flights within India.
Airports and Body Cavity Searches: An Uncomfortable Reality?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![2 Pack - Laminated World Map & US Map Poster Set - Wall Chart Map of the World & United States - Made in the USA [Yellow]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91d58tGhj2L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Palam is a major residential colony in the South West district of Delhi
Palam is a major residential colony located in the South West district of Delhi, India. It is one of 70 Vidhan Sabha constituencies of the Delhi National Capital Territory in northern India. Palam is situated 20 km southwest of the New Delhi City Centre and is surrounded by Delhi Cantt, Dwarka, and Janakpuri. The area is broadly divided into Raj Nagar and Sadh Nagar, with Raj Nagar further divided into two parts: Raj Nagar-1 and Raj Nagar Part-2, and Sadh Nagar divided into Sadh Nagar-1 and Sadh Nagar-2.
Palam Village is a historical village in Delhi, where the area gets its name. It is also famous for the Khap panchayat Palam 360 Khap (Dilli) of Delhi, which has existed for thousands of years. Palam is also home to the only surviving building of Babur's reign in Delhi, the Palam Mosque, which was visited by Ibn Battuta and was constructed in 1528–29. The village also boasts a Toilet Museum and an Air Force Museum.
Palam has a well-established transportation infrastructure, with access to air, rail, road, and metro connections. The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), formerly known as Palam Airport, is located in Palam. The airport was established by the British Raj as an airbase for the Royal Indian Air Force during World War II. In 1962, commercial passenger operations were moved from Safdarjung Airport to Palam Airport, which was then renamed Indira Gandhi International Airport in 1986 with the inauguration of a new international terminal. Today, the airport is the busiest in the country and has won various awards, including being ranked number 1 in the world by the Airports Council International.
Airports Need Beds: A Comfortable Travel Experience
You may want to see also
Palam Airport was established by the British Raj during World War II
Palam Airport, now known as Indira Gandhi International Airport, is located in West Delhi, 16 km (10 mi) southwest of New Delhi's city centre. It was established by the British Raj during World War II as a base for the Royal Indian Air Force to support Allied military operations in Asia.
During World War II, which lasted from 1939 to 1945, the British Raj established Palam Airport as an Air Force Station for the Indian Air Force, which was then known as the Royal Indian Air Force. The airport was built to serve as a strategic base for military operations in Asia. After Indian Independence, the Royal Indian Air Force was renamed the Indian Air Force, and it took over control of the airport.
In 1962, commercial passenger operations were relocated from Safdarjung Airport, Delhi's first airport built in the 1930s, to Palam Airport. At the time, Palam Airport had a peak capacity of approximately 1,300 passengers per hour. The airport continued to grow and expand in the following decades, struggling to keep up with the increasing air traffic.
To accommodate the rising number of passengers, an additional terminal, Terminal 2, was constructed and inaugurated on 2 May 1986. With the opening of the new international terminal, Palam Airport was officially renamed Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). The airport was named after Indira Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India, who passed away in 1984.
Indira Gandhi International Airport has continued to undergo expansion and modernisation over the years. Today, it is the busiest airport in the country and the second busiest in terms of passenger traffic in India, after Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. The airport has received recognition for its transformation, including being ranked number one in the world by the Airports Council International (ACI).
Airport Police: Who Grants Them Authority?
You may want to see also
Terminal 1 of New Delhi airport serves as the Palam domestic airport
In 1962, commercial passenger operations were moved from Delhi's first airport, Safdarjung Airport, to Palam Airport. This was due to an increase in air traffic and because Safdarjung Airport could not support larger aircraft such as jets. Palam Airport had a peak capacity of approximately 1,300 passengers per hour.
In the 1970s and 1980s, air traffic continued to increase, and an additional terminal was constructed with nearly four times the area of the old Palam terminal. With the opening of this new international terminal, Terminal 2, on 2 May 1986, the airport was renamed Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). Today, Terminal 1 of the New Delhi airport, also known as the Palam domestic airport, caters to domestic flights within India. It is located 5 kilometres away from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, and free shuttle services are provided by the Airport Authority of India for transfers between the terminals.
Changi Airport: Lockers for a Seamless Travel Experience
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Palam Airport is located in the South West district of Delhi, India.
Palam Airport was established by the British Raj during World War II as a base for the Royal Indian Air Force. After Indian Independence, the airport was taken over by the Indian Air Force. In 1962, commercial passenger operations were moved from Safdarjung Airport to Palam Airport.
Palam Airport has been renamed Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA).
Palam Airport has a rich historical past and has won several awards for its modernisation. It is the busiest airport in the country and is ranked number 1 in the Asia Pacific Region by the Airports Council International.
Palam is home to the Palam Mosque, the only surviving building of Babur's reign in Delhi. Other attractions include the Toilet Museum and the Air Force Museum.
