The expansion focused on making IGI Airport future-ready begins

The expansion work focused on ensuring Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) is ‘future-ready’ has officially begun.

In the last decade, air traffic movements and passenger traffic have exceeded projections. The Phase 3A expansion works, being carried out as per the Master Plan 2016, will enable IGI Airport to handle the expected increase in air traffic.

Upon completion this work will not only increase the passenger handling capacity of Delhi Airport to 100 million passengers per year in the next three years, but enhance the airside capacity to handle 140 million passengers annually.

The objectives of Phase 3A are to enhance capacity for growth in a timely manner, meet optimal service level requirements and introduce new processes and technologies to maximise efficiency, enhance passenger experience and refresh the terminals.

Shri I Prabhakara Rao, Deputy Managing Director, GMR Group, said: “Keeping in view the unprecedented growth in the number of people travelling by air over the last few years, expansion of Delhi Airport has become the need of the hour to make it future-ready with enhanced passenger experience. The mega expansion of Delhi Airport would not only help the existing airlines to enhance their services but create adequate room for new airlines to initiate their services. With this expansion, Delhi Airport will once again set a new standard for the airport experience. Our vision is to be at the forefront of creating world-class facilities and value-added amenities for our customers, making it one of the best airports across the world. As we rigorously build for the next three years, our focus on efficient operations and superior customer service will remain unwavering.”

L&T has been entrusted with the entire EPC works of Phase 3A. As part of the overall development plan, DIAL will carry out integration of the departure and arrival terminals of T1, construction of new T1 Apron, fourth runway, dual elevated Eastern Cross Taxiways (ECT), landside developments for circulation and connectivity improvements and T3 modification works.

In the proposed plan, the entire T1 Apron will be demolished and a new and expanded apron would be constructed to provide higher capacity layout. The new T1 Apron, apart from having an increased number of stands, will be equipped with technological upgrades including visual docking guidance system, fuel hydrant system, ground power units and pre-conditioned air.

The arrival and departure terminals are to be integrated under a single roof to form the new integrated Terminal 1, increasing from 64,140 square metres to 192,985 square metres.