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Indira Gandhi International Airport (Hindi: इन्दिरा गाँधी अंतर्राष्ट्रीय हवाई अड्डा) (IATA: DEL, ICAO: VIDP) is an airport located in Delhi, India. Named after former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, it is the busiest airport in India in terms of number of daily flights and the second-busiest in India in terms of passenger volume.[1][2] The airport serves as the primary civilian aviation hub for the National Capital Region of India. The airport was previously operated by the Indian Air Force and was a part of the Palam Airport until its management was transferred to Airport Authority of India.[3] In May 2008, the management of the airport was passed over to a joint venture, known as Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) and led by GMR Group, which will also have the responsibility for the airport's ongoing expansion and modernization.[4] In 2007, Indira Gandhi International Airport handled 23 million passengers annually[5] and the planned expansion program will increase its capacity to handle 100 million passengers by 2030.[6] The new Terminal 3 building, currently under construction and expected to cost US$1.94 billion, will handle an additional 37 million passengers annually before the start of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.[7] In September 2008, the airport inaugurated a 4.43 kilometer-long runway, making it Asia's longest runway.[8]
History
The airport, which was earlier known as Palam Airport, was built around the second world war and served as an Air Force Station for the Indian Air Force. Passenger operations were later shifted to the airport from Safdarjung Airport in 1962 due to an increase in traffic. Palam Airport had a peak capacity of around 1300 passengers per hour [9]. Owing to an increase in air traffic in the 70s, an additional terminal with nearly four times the area of the old Palam terminal was constructed. With the inauguration of a new international terminal (Terminal 2), shaped like a trapezoid on 2 May 1986, the airport was renamed as Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. The trapezoid terminal (international) has nine jet bridges. StatisticsThe old Palam terminal is now known as Terminal 1 and handles all domestic flights. The terminal has been divided into three separate terminals - 1A (for domestic flights of state owned Indian Airlines and Kingfisher Airlines), 1B (for all other domestic airlines) and Domestic Arrival Terminal. There is also a separate Technical Area for the use of VVIP movements. Additionally there is a separate Hajj terminal for catering rush during Hajj. 
Owing to the booming Indian Aviation industry and the entry of numerous low-cost private carriers, the airport saw a huge jump in passenger traffic and has failed to cope with the demand. The capacity of Terminal 1 is estimated to be 7.15 million passengers per annum (mppa). However, the actual throughput for 2005/06 was an estimated 10.4 million passengers. Including the international terminal (Terminal 2), the airport has a total capacity of 12.5 mppa whereas the total passenger traffic in 2006/07 was 16.5 million passengers per annum[10] In 2007, there was a 6.5 million increase in the airport's passenger traffic, making the number of passengers 23 million that used the airport. Delhi Airport has two parallel runways and a non-parallel runway: a new runway 11R/29L(14,534ft (4430m))with CAT IIIB ILS on both sides, the main runway 10/28 (12,500 ft (3,810 m)) and an auxiliary runway 09/27 (9,229 ft (2,813 m)). Runway 28 is one of the few runways in Asia and the only one in South Asia equipped with CAT III-B instrument landing system. In the winter of 2005 there were a record number of disruptions at Delhi airport due to fog/smog. Since then some domestic airlines have trained their pilots to operate under CAT-II conditions of a minimum 350 m (1,100 ft) visibility. On 31 March 2006, IGI became the first Indian airport to operate two runways simultaneously following a test run involving a SpiceJet plane landing and a Jet Airways plane taking off at the same time. As there is an Indian Air Force Base (Hindon) in the flight path of Delhi airport it is necessary for civilian aircraft to make a five-minute detour to avoid over-flying the military facility. In previous years the IAF used to close Delhi airport for use during annual celebrations to mark its "raising" day. As of 2006 such activities are conducted at Hindon Air Force Base to reduce disruption to civilian air traffic at Delhi airport. Modernization and expansion
Delhi Airport has been undergoing major upgrades since Fraport, Airports Authority of India, Eraman Malaysia, and GMR Infrastructure have been granted the contract to manage and build the airport over a 35 year period. Terminal 1A and 2 have been renovated with new washrooms, ceilings, departure areas and the latest security equipment. The companies have also been constructing the brand new Terminal 3 at Indira Gandhi International Airport. This terminal will cater to both domestic and international passengers until the second phase of construction is completed, which will include an additional new terminal catering exclusively for international flights. Terminal 3 will be built in place of the older existing terminals. Designed by HOK working in consultation with Mott MacDonald, the new Terminal 3 will be a two-tier building, with the bottom floor being the arrivals area, and the top being a departures area. This terminal will have over 160 check-in counters, 74 aerobridges, 30 parking bays, 72 immigration counters, 15 X-ray screening areas, for less waiting times, duty-free shops, and other features.[11][12] Over 90% of passengers will use this terminal when completed. This new terminal is planned to be completed in time for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, which are to be held in Delhi, and will be connected to Delhi by an eight-lane motorway (National Highway 8), and the Delhi Mass Rapid Transit System. Terminal 3 will cater to more than 35 million passengers a year. 
In September 2008, the airport inaugurated a 4.43 kilometer long runway, making it the longest operational runway in Asia. The runway will increase the airport's capacity to handle 70 flights from the present 34-40 flights per hour.[13] As of September 2008, the new runway was undergoing trials.[14] Terminal 3 would form the first phase of the airport expansion in which a U shaped building would be developed in a modular manner. In 2010, all international and full service domestic carriers will operate from Terminal 3, while Terminal 1 will be developed as an exclusive terminal for low cost carriers. In subsequent stages, the low cost carriers will also move to the new terminal complex. Terminal 4 and 5 will be built at a later stage, and once completed, all international flights will move to these two new terminals, while Terminal 3 will then solely be used for handling domestic air traffic. A new cargo handling building is also planned. According to Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), these new terminals will cost approximately US$7.5 billion dollars and will increase the airport's annual passenger volume capacity to 100 million.[15] Incidents and accidents
Airlines and destinationsIGI Airport is the home of several Indian airlines including Indian Airlines, SpiceJet, Air India Regional and IndiGo Airlines. Air India and Jet Airways use IGI Airport as their second hub after Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai. The airport is also a major base for various other Indian air carriers including Kingfisher Airlines, GoAir, Deccan and Jet Lite. Almost 100 domestic, international, and cargo airlines serve this airport. There are six operational terminals making up this airport, they are the following: Terminal 1 (Domestic)The terminal in which all domestic operations (airlines from terminals 1A and 1B) arrive. The terminal is compact, however has received a new greeting area with expanded space, and a bigger luggage reclaim area. The arrival terminal will also be discharged once new terminals come up. Terminal 1ATerminal 1A caters to all domestic flights operated by Kingfisher Airlines, Air India and its subsidiaries Air India Regional and Indian Airlines . As one of the oldest terminals within the airport, the terminal features a shabby appearance, its interiors and exterior in desperate need of a makeover. DIAL, the owner of the airport, has majorly upgraded this terminal. It now sports a new look with modern washrooms and facilities, however will be torn down on the completion of newer terminals which are expected to finish construction in the coming years. Terminal 1BTerminal 1B serves all other domestic carriers including: Kingfisher Red, IndiGo Airlines, Jet Airways and subsidiary JetLite, Jagson Airlines, MDLR Airlines, GoAir, and SpiceJet. This Terminal has also been upgraded and boasts a variety of fast food outlets, newly installed seating, and extra space built for the terminal, all in addition to cleaner and new washrooms. The terminal's exterior design has also been altered to a newer, fresher looking design. This terminal will also be demolished subsequent to the arrival of newer terminals, despite its recent upgrades. Terminal 2 (International)
Handling all International operations at the airport, it is the airport's newest and largest terminal. However, constructed in the 80's, it is also in desperate need of repair, and it is half its size to cater to all its passengers. This sign of distress has already been taken care of. The entire terminal has been upgraded. It has been repainted, new, glass windows have replaced the old dark ones, floors have been retiled, walls and ceilings now have new surfaces, more immigration and emigration counters have been implemented, new seats have been brought in, new baggage belts, more business lounges, eateries, and lots of fresh duty free shops have also been added. The fate of this terminal is unknown. Once the new Terminal 3 comes up in 2010 and all airlines will move into this new terminal, Terminal 2 will either be used for private jets or be torn down. 
Hajj TerminalUpon the annual Muslim pilgrimage of Hajj, all airlines bound for the middle east move to this separate terminal to prevent disruption of other passengers who are traveling to other areas of the globe. A separate area has been made for Hajj to cater to the abundance of additional travelers during this season, and to accommodate them with enough provided space. It has a 10 million passengers per annum capacity. It is used from October to December. Plans are underway to use the building for the remaining 10 months of the year also. Cargo TerminalThe Cargo Terminal handles all cargo operations. The airport received an award in 2007 for its excellent and organized cargo handling system. 
Terminal 3Predicted to be the second largest terminal in the world (after Beijing Capital Airport's Terminal 3) this massive, modern terminal will revolutionise the airport and usher it into the 21st century. All airlines will use this terminal. (For more info. on terminal three refer to the modernisation section of this article.) More terminals will follow in the progression of time. Connection from DelhiConnected from Delhi by the Delhi Gurgaon Expressway. Low floor Tata Marcopolo Buses regularily run between the airport and the city. Delhi Metro link to be completed by 2010. Airlines
Public transportationDTC operates several buses to the airport. The Delhi Metro is currently constructing an "Airport Express" metro line connecting the airport to New Delhi, which is planned to be completed by 2010. Fixed base operators (FBO)Caterers
Fuelers
Ground handlers
References
External links
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