New Delhi [India], February 26: By the end of this year, the Delhi Airport is set to operate at its full capacity, handling around 109 million passengers annually. Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) announced that Terminal-1 (T1) will be fully operational by April, while Terminal-2 (T2) will undergo a comprehensive refurbishment for about 4-5 months.
DIAL CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar revealed that T1’s operational start is contingent upon regulatory approvals, and once that happens, T2 will be shut down for refurbishment. With T2 having an annual passenger capacity of 15 million, it will undergo extensive upgrades during the closure. Jaipuriar assured that there would be no inconvenience to passengers, as T1 and T3 will share the passenger load during this period.
Additionally, one runway will undergo Instrument Landing System (ILS) upgrade work while T2 is being refurbished, which will be completed before the winter season.
On the subject of tariff revision, Jaipuriar explained that the current per-passenger fee of Rs 145, unchanged since 2006, will rise to Rs 370, representing an increase of Rs 225 per passenger. This increase is considered necessary due to the passage of time and to support the additional investments made by DIAL in airport infrastructure.
The recently completed Phase 3A, which involved an expenditure of Rs 12,500 crore, contributed to the construction of Terminal-1, a new taxiway, an apron, parking stands, and other vital infrastructure. These investments are aimed at facilitating the rapid growth of Indian aviation.
Terminal 2, which was originally constructed 40 years ago by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), will be thoroughly modernised as part of DIAL’s plan to create a world-class hub for passengers across India and Southeast Asia. The refurbishment will introduce new passenger boarding bridges, featuring autonomous docking technology—the first of its kind in India—as well as modern ceilings, skylights, advanced flooring, and improved road connectivity for enhanced passenger convenience.
The upgrades will support the anticipated surge in domestic air travel, with DIAL projecting that the airport will reach its maximum passenger capacity by FY 2025-26.