Explore Indira Gandhi International Airport

Touted twice as the best airport in India and Central Asia, the Indira Gandhi International Airport is the largest aviation hub. 

Citied as IGI Airport, it’s among the seven busiest airports in the world in terms of cargo and commuter traffic. Moreover, IGI is the first airport in the country to run entirely on a combination of hydro and solar energy. This move will initiate its step towards making the Delhi airport a Net Zero Carbon Emission Airport by 2030. 

The airport served over 39 million passengers in the financial year of 2022, owing to the post-pandemic recovery. Indira Gandhi International Airport is among the busiest airports in the world. Nestled in Palam West Delhi, IGI Airport is sprawled over 5,100 acres of area and is in 15 km proximity from New Delhi Railway Station and about 16 km from the city centre.

Who Owns Indira Gandhi International Airport?

IGIA is the joint venture owned by GMR Infrastructure Group(54%), Airports Authority of India (26%), and Fraport (10%), Eraman Malaysia (10%). The consortium formed between the public and private sectors escorts a delightful experience for every passenger and that has been expressed in every facet of the airport.

How to Reach Indira Gandhi International Airport?

IGIA in Delhi is allied to other cities in India and the rest of the world. The airport hosts several domestic and international flights and further serves as a hub for airlines including Air India, Vistara, GoAir, IndiGo, JetLite and SpiceJet. There are several ways to travel to and from Delhi International Airport by metro, bus, taxi or cab. 

Terminals at Indira Gandhi International Airport

The Indira Gandhi International Airport encapsulates three terminals (T1, T2, and T3) for domestic and international passengers. 

Terminal 1

The Indira Gandhi Airport Terminal 1 caters to domestic passengers. It is undergoing a major expansion that will boost the capacity from the present 20 to 40 million passengers per annum by the end of 2023 or starting of 2024. Some of the project aspects are already in operation, including a new state-of-the-art arrival hall. The arrival hall is covered in an area of 8,000 square meters, offering exquisite amenities such as a meet and greet zone, VIP lounge, four new baggage reclaim carousels, retail stores and a food court. 

“The new layout will facilitate improved air traffic flow and enhance airside safety. The creation of new contact stands will also lead to a reduction in the Ground Support Equipment required. This will ensure faster aircraft turnaround time and improve safety in the apron area, resulting in improved operational efficiency on the airside.” – Delhi International Airport Limited.

Terminal 2

The IGIA Terminal 2 was in operation for international flights, earlier till 2010. After that, all international services moved to Terminal 3. As of now, Delhi Airport Terminal 2 functions for domestic flights and is used by low-cost carriers. The recently renovated arrival hall gloats high-end facilities, including lavish restaurants, premium lounges, baggage wrap, and porter services. It can handle a maximum capacity of up to 12 million passengers per year.

Terminal 3

With the avant-garde amenities and efficiency to serve about 40 million travellers each year, IGIA Terminal 3 is India’s largest hi-tech aviation hub. The modern terminal houses international flight operations and offers top-notch services. IGI Terminal features six levels segregated into domestic and international areas with the most advanced automated baggage systems competent to handle 12,800 bags per hour. The integrated design with the latest airport IT systems facilitates fast turnaround times and optimises utilisation. It has 168 check-in counters with 78 aerobridges at 48 contact stands, more than 100 immigration counters, and 15 X-ray screening areas for a smooth, less air experience. 

The terminal hall is designed with a long central core flanked by piers on either side to support the structure. Moreover, the roof of the building instils daylight, and the angled facade provides shading, protecting the interiors from direct sunlight. The building implies a mechanical and electrical design strategy that reduces the use of carbon emissions and saves energy, thereby making it a green building.

Interesting Facts about IGI Airport

• In December 2022, the DigiYatra App was launched at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. This Government initiative aimed at aiding the contactless air travel experience through the digitisation move. This Biometric app follows a centralised registration system for passengers to make their travel swift and convenient. With this, IGIA has joined the likes of other International Airports like Heathrow in London and Atlanta in the USA. 
• IGIA is the first airport with LEED (Leadership Energy and Environment Design) ‘Gold’ rating and became the prime plastic-free airport in India
• Delhi International airport launched the first Covid-19 testing facility for International passengers in 2021. 
• The aviation hub has been named the world’s number 1 position twice in the 25-40 Million Passengers Per Annum (MPPA) category.
• In 2006, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a consortium led by the GMR Group, was passed over the development and management of the airport.

Facilities

• Delhi International airport offers a distinctive experience to flyers with its advanced facilities in the baggage handling system. Introduced smart tags called ‘BAGG TRAX,’ with detection technology that aids passengers in tracking their checked-in luggage for greater efficiency and security. 

• The arrival hall features baggage reclaim belts and more than 95 desks for seamless immigration procedures. Further, there are over 168 counters in the check-in area for fast and unobstructed clearances. 

• Delhi Airport authorities offer premium lounges at International and Domestic Departures for travellers. An ITC Green Lounge at International Departures welcomes the flyers with their first-class amenities. 

• Embark on a culinary quest with casual dining options, food courts, coffee shops, grab-and-go food joints, and much more at the airport terminals for the comfort and enjoyment of passengers.

• There are plenty of ATM and currency exchange counters at the terminal’s domestic and international arrivals. Thomas Cook, Central Bank of India, Yes Bank, Allahabad Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Canara Bank, and Citibank offer passengers smooth cash flow and currency exchange. 

• Explore various retail outlets at Delhi airport’s expansive at duty-free space with over 1000 plush brands in jewellery, apparel, makeup, and other fashionable accessories, including Armani Exchange, Ethos, Bally, Coach, Hugo Boss, Michael Kors, Mont Blanc, Superdry, etc. 

Statistics associated with Indira Gandhi International Airport

As of 2022, Indira Gandhi international airport, housing domestic and international flights, handled more than 39 million passengers. The aviation industry in the country has seen massive growth over the last decade, with the low-cost carriers’ domestic flights booming worldwide. However, owing to the pandemic, there was a drop of more than 66 per cent in the financial year 2021. With several countries taking health measures and lifting travel restrictions, air travel demands will recover in the upcoming years. 

Top Localities Around Indira Gandhi International Airport

In real estate, any developing or developed areas near the airport create a lot of buzz among buyers and investors. Besides having excellent connectivity and impressive infrastructure, these areas offer 24-7  transport facilities, social culture, and economic activities. As a result, demand for properties in localities near airports is high, and the return on investment is alike.

Top Locations near the Indira Gandhi International Airport, include Vasant Kunj, Dwarka, DLF Phase-3, Sector-7, and Golf Course Road in Gurgaon. While Dwarka Expressway offers properties to mid-income slab homebuyers, Vasant Kunj and DLF Phase-3 cater to premium estates.

Conclusion

As Delhi airport is the second busiest airport in Central Asia, it faces congestion, and passengers await long queues. Amidst all the chaos, Union Civil aviation minister Jyothiraditya Scindia in the last week of December, visited the airport to investigate the situation. The DIAL and Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA) are working on a four-action plan to arise with remedial measures and reduce congestion. Moreover, “the discussions are ongoing with airlines to eliminate flights during the peak hours”. officials stated 

FAQs