Delhi Airport Terminal 2 To Shut By 2033 As Terminal 3 Expansion Begins

Pearl Doshi May 25, 2026 1,550 Views

Delhi Airport’s Terminal 2 is set to be phased out by 2033, with all domestic flights shifting to Terminal 3 once the new Pier E becomes operational. The expansion will add capacity for 12 million passengers annually, alongside upgrades like wider ramps, bigger forecourts, and an automated people mover.

Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), operated by GMR Airports, has unveiled its long-term master plan for Indira Gandhi International Airport. The plan includes shutting down the nearly four-decade-old Terminal 2 by 2033 and expanding Terminal 3 with a new Pier E to absorb future passenger traffic.

Pier E Expansion

Pier E at Terminal 3 will handle 1.2 crore (12 million) passengers annually, equal to T2’s current capacity.
Once operational, all domestic flights from T2 will shift to T3, consolidating operations.
Pier E will be located closest to the ramp leading to T3, ensuring smoother passenger flow.

Infrastructure Upgrades

Automated people mover (air train) expected within 30 months to connect terminals seamlessly.
Wider access ramps and extended forecourts planned to manage increased passenger volumes.
Pier C has already been converted to international operations, giving T3 three international piers with 3.4 crore capacity and one domestic pier (Pier D) with 90 lakh capacity.

Timeline And Challenges

T2 will remain operational for six to seven more years, depending on passenger growth.
Aircraft delivery delays from Airbus and Boeing and the West Asia conflict have slowed finalisation of expansion timelines.
DIAL is consulting airlines to align Pier E’s construction with fleet expansion strategies.

Future Use Of T2 Site

GMR Airports Chairman GBS Raju confirmed T2 will be “abandoned” by 2033.
The site’s future use will depend on traffic growth and evolving aviation needs.
Options under consideration include cargo facilities or additional passenger infrastructure.

Airport Expansion Highlights

•⁠ ⁠Terminal 2 to be phased out by 2033

•⁠ ⁠Pier E at Terminal 3 to add 12 million passenger capacity

•⁠ ⁠All domestic flights from T2 to shift to T3

•⁠ ⁠Automated people mover operational within 30 months

•⁠ ⁠Wider ramps and bigger forecourts planned for T3

•⁠ ⁠Timeline aligned with airline fleet expansion and global aviation trends

Sources: NewsBytes, The Economic Times, Times of India, Newspoint

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