Delhi Airport’s Terminal 1 To Reopen On August 17 Nearly After 2 Months

New Delhi: The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) on Wednesday announced that Terminal 1 of the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport will be operational from August 17 nearly 2 months after the tragic roof collapse incident on June 28. The latest update has come up after around one and half months of the tragic incident, when a cab driver died and six others were injured after a portion of the roof at Delhi’s Airport’s Terminal 1 collapsed amid heavy rain on June 28.

Following the incident, several flights from Terminal 1 were cancelled, and many other services were shifted to different terminals. Following the incident, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu visited Terminal-1 (T1) to take stock of the situation. The DIAL had stated that a committee was set up to investigate the roof collapse incident.

Terminal 1 Was Developed As Part Of Phase 3A Expansion Project

DIAL, a GMR Airport Infrastructure Limited-led consortium that operates and manages Delhi Airport, announced Wednesday the opening and operationalization of the new Terminal 1 from August 17. The new terminal was developed as part of the Phase 3A expansion project by DIAL and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 10, 2024.

According to the information shared by the GMR, the DIAL worked with IndiGo and SpiceJet to make necessary preparations for shifting flight operations from T2 and T3 to T1. As per the plan, SpiceJet would shift their 13 flights to Terminal 1 from August 17 and subsequently IndiGo would move back their 34 flights from T2 and T3 to T1, from September 2.

Speaking on the occasion, Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO-DIAL, said, “Delhi Airport is glad to announce the operationalization of new Terminal 1 from August 17, 2024. The state-of-the-art Terminal 1 will significantly boost our capacity, easing pressure on Terminals 2 and 3. Passengers can expect a smoother travel experience with improved amenities and advanced technology.”

How Departures and Arrivals Will Be Facilitated

All passengers flying by SpiceJet flights will have to enter through Entry Gate A, on the ground floor. Passengers taking IndiGo flights will have to enter the new terminal through Entry Gates 5 and 6 at the first floor. All passenger arrivals will take place through dedicated Arrivals on the ground floor.

DIAL has put up signage at strategic locations, including on-road markings, indicating the direction to the departures for the convenience of IndiGo and SpiceJet passengers. Also, DIAL will deploy RAXA guards to help the passengers and direct them to IndiGo and SpiceJet departures. For Arrivals, passengers would have to take the same arrival route to come out of the terminal.

Upgraded Features at T1

DIAL undertook the expansion work in 2019 to make Delhi Airport future-ready. The expansion work was carried out as per the Master Plan 2016 as Delhi Airport witnessed a massive surge in Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) and passenger numbers, exceeding projections.

In a bid to provide a world-class experience to its passengers, DIAL has introduced an innovative Queue-Buster: Mobile Check-in Service at the new terminal. This will help passengers to avoid long queues at check-in counters.

Besides this, there are other features to provide a seamless journey facilitated by our Automated Tray Retrieval System (ATRS), Individual Carrier System (ICS), Common Usage Self Service (CUSS), Aerobridges, check-in counters including Self Baggage Drop (SBD) kiosks among others. The seamless journey is complemented by a myriad of offerings, including expanded baggage reclaim carousels, multiple entry gates, and enhanced Shop and Dine facilities.

Inside the terminal, passengers can experience the Shop and Dine facility, Prayer Room, Yoga area, Quiet zone, Group seating, Laptop charging stations, mobile charging stations, self-medication room, Baby Care rooms, smart washrooms etc.

Connectivity

The terminal is well connected with Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line at Arrivals, as well as Departures. Also, bus service by state-run Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) is available at regular intervals. T1 is well connected with terminals 2 and 3 through a shuttle bus service, also run by DTC.

Cityside Development

The Terminal's city-side developments offer plush forecourt areas, and expanded parking facilities. Realigned pickup and drop-off lanes ease vehicle traffic, significantly improving the passenger experience during arrivals and departures.

Airside Development

The redesigned apron, featuring 82 Code C stands and a dual taxiway, ensures improved air traffic flow, faster aircraft turnaround, and enhanced safety. Technological upgrades like VDGS, FHS, GPU, and PCA contribute to efficiency and safety in aircraft handling.