Delhi Airport's Grand Makeover: T3 Expansion, New Terminals & Airline Hubs Revealed!

Transportation

|

Updated on 13 Nov 2025, 11:07 am

Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), backed by GMR Group, is finalizing its Master Plan 2026 (MP 2026) for the next phase of expansion at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). This plan, set to be decided by March, will outline the future layout, including decisions on Terminal 2 (T2) and the long-delayed Terminal 4 (T4). The airport's capacity is projected to increase from 10.5 crore passengers annually (CPA) to 12.5 CPA by 2029-30. This will be achieved through measures such as building a new pier E at T3, optimizing T1, and adding aircraft parking stands. International traffic handling capacity at T3 will see a significant boost, increasing by 50% from January 15, 2026, reaching 3 CPA. This will involve reconfiguring T3 to dedicate three piers (A, B, C) to international flights and one (D) to domestic operations. T4 construction may commence after 2030, potentially raising IGIA's total capacity to about 14 CPA. Major Indian carriers like IndiGo and Air India have expressed interest in having dedicated terminals for their airline groups to facilitate seamless passenger transfers. The ongoing development of the Noida International Airport (NIA) is also a key consideration in DIAL's planning. DIAL is also working on improving inter-terminal connectivity, including trials for international-domestic baggage transfers and implementing scanners on shuttle buses for easier ticket verification.

**Impact**: This news significantly impacts the Indian aviation sector, airport infrastructure development, and passenger experience. It signals robust growth plans for airlines and airport operators, fostering competition and improving connectivity. The expansion is crucial for handling projected demand and enhancing Delhi's status as a global hub. **Rating: 8/10.**

**Difficult Terms**: * **Master Plan 2026 (MP 2026)**: A long-term blueprint developed by Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) detailing the expansion and development strategy for Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) over a 10-year period. * **CPA (Crore Passengers Annually)**: A unit of measurement for airport capacity, representing the number of passengers an airport can handle in a year. One crore equals 10 million. * **DIAL (Delhi International Airport Ltd)**: The public-private partnership consortium responsible for operating and managing Indira Gandhi International Airport. It is backed by the GMR Group. * **IGIA (Indira Gandhi International Airport)**: The primary international airport serving Delhi and the National Capital Region of India. * **T2, T3, T4**: Refers to Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and the planned Terminal 4 at Indira Gandhi International Airport. * **IndiGo**: One of India's largest low-cost airlines, operated by InterGlobe Aviation. * **Air India**: India's flag carrier airline, now owned by the Tata Group. * **Akasa Air**: A relatively new Indian airline. * **Noida International Airport (NIA)**: A greenfield international airport being developed in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, to serve the Delhi NCR region. * **Air train**: A proposed rapid transit system intended to connect distant terminals within the Indira Gandhi International Airport complex, facilitating easier passenger movement. * **Inter-terminal baggage transfer**: The process of transferring checked luggage between different terminals of an airport for passengers taking connecting flights, aiming to eliminate the need for passengers to carry their own bags. * **GPS spoofing**: A malicious act that involves transmitting false signals that mislead GPS receivers, potentially disrupting navigation systems at airports. * **Instrument Landing System Category I**: A precision navigational aid installed at airport runways to assist aircraft in landing safely, especially during low visibility conditions.