Indira Gandhi International Airport

Indira Gandhi International Airport (IATA: DEL, ICAO: VIDP), known as Palam Airport until 1986, is the main international airport serving New Delhi, the capital of India, and the National Capital Region (NCR). The airport is located in Palam, Delhi, about 15 km southwest of the New Delhi Railway Station and 16 km from the city centre. It covers a large area of 5,106 acres.

The airport is named after Indira Gandhi (1917–1984), a former Prime Minister of India. It has been the busiest airport of India since 2009, handling over 7.92 crore (79.2 million) passengers in the financial year 2024–25, the highest in its history. As of 2025, it ranks as the ninth-busiest airport in the world. It is also the second-busiest airport globally by seating capacity, with space for over 36 lakh (3.6 million) seats.

Before 2006, the airport was managed by the Indian Air Force, but then it was transferred to the Airports Authority of India. Later, in May 2006, management was handed to Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), led by the GMR Group. In 2010, Terminal 3 opened, making it India's and South Asia's largest aviation centre. The airport uses a smart system called Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) to keep takeoffs and landings running smoothly.

Another airport in the NCR area is Hindon Airport, which mainly handles short-distance flights. A new airport, Noida International Airport, was started in March 2026 to help with growing traffic needs.

History

Palam Airport was set up during World War II to help the Allied forces in Asia. After India became independent, the Indian Air Force took control of the airport.

In 1962, flights moved from Safdarjung Airport, Delhi's first airport, to Palam Airport. At that time, it could handle about 1,300 passengers each hour. By 1979–80, three million passengers flew through Palam each year. Because more and more people wanted to fly in the 1970s and 1980s, a new, bigger international terminal was built. When this new Terminal 2 opened on May 2, 1986, the airport was renamed Indira Gandhi International Airport. Even today, its old ICAO code, VIDP, still remembers its former name.

The old domestic airport, called Palam or Terminal 1, had three parts: 1A, 1B, and 1C. Blocks 1A and 1B were for international flights but later became home to domestic airlines. They are now closed and will be torn down when new terminals are built. Block 1C was changed into a place for domestic arrivals and was rebuilt and reopened on February 24, 2022. Today, a new area called 1D handles flights for budget airlines like IndiGo and SpiceJet. There is also a special area for important visitors.

In October 2001, an airline called Canada 3000 started the first nonstop flight from India to Toronto. This was possible because Russia opened its airspace after the Cold War. Even though travel dropped after the 11 September attacks, the airline hoped this route would help them. But the airline stopped operating just a month later.

Air travel in India grew fast, and more people flew every year. By 2005/06, about 10.4 million passengers used the airport each year, even though Terminal 1 could only handle about 7.15 million. With the old international terminal closed, the airport could manage around 12.5 million passengers a year, but by 2006/07, more than 16.5 million passengers were flying through. In 2008, that number grew to almost 24 million. To make travel easier and get ready for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, a huge new Terminal 3 opened on July 3, 2010. Building it took 37 months and it could handle 34 million more passengers.

Today, most airlines use Terminal 3, while budget airlines use Terminals 1 and 2. In June 2022, Delhi International Airport became the first in India to run completely on hydro power and solar energy.

Ownership

On January 31, 2006, the aviation minister Praful Patel announced that the government agreed to let a private group manage Delhi Airport. Management was handed over to this group on May 2, 2006. The group included companies from GMR Group, Fraport, and Malaysia Airports, while Airports Authority of India kept a part of the ownership.

In May 2015, Malaysia Airports sold its share to GMR Infra for $79 million, increasing GMR's ownership. In 2024, Fraport also sold its share to GMR Group.

Facilities

Runways

Delhi Airport has four runways close together. The oldest runway, 09/27, was built by the British before India gained independence and was used during World War II. In 2006, Delhi Airport became the first in India to use two runways at the same time.

In 2008, a new long runway, 11R/29L, opened. It helped the airport handle many more flights. Since 2012, the airport has used three runways at once during the day. In 2023, a fourth runway and special taxiways were added to help planes move faster and reduce traffic and pollution.

Terminals

IGI Airport is a busy place for many Indian airlines such as Air India, Alliance Air, IndiGo, and SpiceJet. About 80 airlines use this airport. It has three main terminals for passengers and one for cargo.

In 2021, a new system was added where passengers could scan their boarding cards to move through security more easily at all three terminals. Terminal 3 is special because it handles both international and domestic flights. Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet are the main airlines using it for international trips.

Currently operational terminals

Terminal 1

Terminal 1 is for low-cost domestic flights with airlines like SpiceJet and IndiGo. In 2022, it was expanded to handle more passengers. By 2025, after renovations, it became one big building.

Terminal 2

Terminal 2 opened in 1986 and was used for international flights until 2010. After that, it was used only a few months each year. In 2017, it was updated and now serves GoAir and some IndiGo flights. By October 2025, all updates were done, and it is fully open again.

Terminal 3

Terminal 3 was designed by HOK and Mott MacDonald. It is very large, with many check-in counters, aerobridges, and other services. It opened in 2010 just before the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. All international flights and many domestic ones use this terminal. It also has a special system to help drivers find parking spots easily.

Domestic airline Air India uses Terminal 3, as does Air India Express. Some SpiceJet and IndiGo flights also use it sometimes.

On 16 December 2024, IGI Airport became the first in India to connect directly to 150 airports or destinations with a new flight to Bangkok.

General Aviation Terminal

In September 2020, India’s first terminal for private jets and chartered flights opened at this airport.

Air cargo complex

The cargo area is close to Terminal 3. It has two types of terminals for cargo, with plans to grow its ability to handle lots of goods each year.

Previous terminals

Terminal 1A

Terminal 1A was built in 1982 for special visitors. Later, it was used for regular flights until it closed in 2010 and was demolished in 2018.

Terminal 1B

Terminal 1B was built in the late 1980s for domestic departures. It closed in 2009 when a new terminal opened and is expected to be torn down later.

Terminal 1C

Terminal 1C, built in the late 1980s for arrivals, was closed, torn down, and rebuilt in 2022.

Terminal 1D

Terminal 1D opened in 2009 to handle domestic departures. It has many check-in and security areas.

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

Cargo

Statistics

Indira Gandhi International Airport is the main airport for New Delhi, India. It is the busiest airport in India for passengers. The airport covers a large area of 5,106 acres and is located about 15 km from the New Delhi Railway Station and 16 km from the city center. It was named after Indira Gandhi, a former Prime Minister of India.

Connectivity

Indira Gandhi International Airport has four passenger terminals, one cargo terminal, and a commercial area called Aerocity. Terminal 1 handles domestic flights, while Terminals 2 and 3, located together, handle budget domestic and international flights respectively. A cargo terminal sits between Terminal 3 and Aerocity.

The airport is well-connected by metro, with three stations serving the terminals. The Delhi Aerocity metro station links to other parts of the city, and more connections are planned. Roads, including expressways, connect the airport to Delhi and nearby areas. Plans are also in place for new bus terminals to serve travelers from different regions.

Awards

Indira Gandhi International Airport has received many awards for its work. In 2010, it was named one of the best airports in the world for its size. By 2015, it was rated the best airport in the world for its passenger numbers.

The airport has also been honored as the best in Central Asia and for having the best staff. In 2017, it was named the world's best airport for handling very large numbers of passengers. More recently, in 2023, it was recognized as the cleanest airport in the Asia-Pacific region and again earned top marks for service quality.

Future expansion

The newer domestic arrivals and departures terminals, 1C and 1D, have been connected and expanded into one terminal called Terminal 1. This terminal can handle up to 40 million passengers each year.

Terminals 4, 5, and 6 will be built later when there is more traffic. Once finished, all international flights will use these new terminals, and Terminal 3 will only handle domestic flights. A new building for cargo is also planned. These new terminals will help the airport handle up to 100 million passengers each year.