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

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