The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) on Wednesday (February 26) announced that Terminal 2 (T2) of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) will be temporarily closed for four to five months starting April. Delhi Airport’s T2, built 40 years ago by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), is set for a major refurbishment led by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL).
The modernisation will upgrade key infrastructure, ensuring T2 remains a world-class facility capable of handling growing passenger traffic. The project includes India’s first autonomous docking aerobridges, modern ceilings with skylights, advanced flooring, and improved road connectivity. These enhancements will support the rising demand for domestic air travel, with T2 expected to reach full capacity by FY 2025-26.
Additionally, one of the runways will be shut for upgradation during this period. These initiatives aligns with DIAL’s vision of creating a global aviation hub for India and Southeast Asia. IGIA, which has three terminals—T1, T2, and T3—currently handles around 109 million passengers annually.
T1 restoration work nears completion
According to DIAL CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, ongoing work at Terminal 1 (T1) is expected to be completed by March 15, after which it will reopen for operations following necessary approvals. The 15 million passenger capacity of T2 will be transferred to T1 during its temporary closure.
Kumar highlighted that the recently completed Phase 3A saw an investment of Rs 12,500 crore, dedicated to building Terminal 1, a new taxiway, an apron with parking stands, and various other infrastructure upgrades. He further stated that these developments are part of the airport’s ongoing efforts to support the expansion of Indian aviation.
T3 domestic section to become international terminal
In response to increasing passenger traffic, the airport operator also plans to convert a section of T3, currently used for domestic operations, into an international terminal.
“Average international load is around 67,000 to 68,000 per day…. If you multiply that with 365, it comes to close to 24 million. The rated capacity for the international terminal T3 is 20 million. In fact, we are sweating the asset to the tune of 20 per cent,” he said.
“So, we have come out with the proposal to convert Pier C (section of the airport), which is currently domestic, into international at T3. The international capacity will become 32 million. This will take care (of the capacity) for the next four to five years as per the airlines’ projections,” he added.
Delhi Airport’s passenger capacity
Currently, T1 has a capacity of 40 million passengers annually, T2 handles 15 million, and the remaining traffic is managed at T3. However, T3 was originally designed for 34 million international passengers but now handles around 45 million.
During T2’s closure, one of the airport’s runways will also be non-operational to facilitate an Instrument Landing System (ILS) upgrade. “We aim to complete the upgrade before the winter season,” Jaipuriar stated. The upgrade will make the runway CAT III B compliant, allowing flight operations in low-visibility conditions, which is crucial during foggy winter months.