The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in Delhi continues its expansion plan as it operates among the world’s busiest airports. The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) management team announced the closure of Terminal 2 (T2) from April 2025 as a temporary measure to last four or five months. The airport management plans to do runway maintenance work on one of its operating areas while T2 runs its closure operation.
The closure of T2 Terminal along with runway shutdown will create major disruptions for passengers and Operation Flight Activities.
The three terminals at IGI Airport, named T1, T2, and T3 produce a combined annual passenger handling total of 109 million. T2 handles 15 million passengers alone but its closure demands passengers to be relocated to other terminals during the time of shutdown. DIAL has established Terminal 1 (T1) as the new destination for T2 flights since T1 possesses an annual passenger handling capacity of 40 million.
Videoh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO of DIAL, indicated that Terminal 1 would commence full operations on March 15 following the approval process. The shift of services aims to protect passengers from interruptions because of facility maintenance activities.
Runway Upgrade for Improved Efficiency
The airport management plans to close T2 along with shutting down a runway for a major infrastructure upgrade. The main focus behind this modification program is to advance the Instrument Landing System (ILS) functionality until it matches CAT III B specifications. The enhanced facilities will lead to better flight operations in Delhi fog and make low-visibility conditions much less disrupt flight schedules.
Jaipuriar emphasized that the upgrade is crucial for handling increased air traffic and maintaining operational efficiency at IGI Airport. The runway upgrade is expected to be completed before the winter season, providing better flight management capabilities in adverse weather conditions.
Expansion of International Flight Capacity
In response to rising passenger volumes, DIAL is also undertaking modifications to Terminal 3 (T3). A portion of Pier C in T3, which currently handles domestic flights, will be converted into an international section. This expansion will increase the international flight handling capacity of the airport to 32 million passengers per year, up from the current 20 million. Jaipuriar noted that T3 was originally designed for an international passenger capacity of 34 million but is currently handling around 45 million passengers annually. The reconfiguration of Pier C will help ease congestion and ensure smooth international operations over the next four to five years, in line with airline traffic projections.