Delhi Airport News: T3 New Pier to Boost International Capacity by Over 50%
Delhi Airport News
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) is set to significantly increase its international passenger capacity with the addition of a new pier at Terminal 3 (T3). The expansion is expected to increase the airport’s international capacity by more than 50% over the next four years.
The new International Pier E will have a capacity of around 1.6 crore passengers per annum (CPA). Once completed, it will increase the overall capacity of T3 from the current 5 crore passengers per year to around 6.6 crore passengers annually.
At present, T3 handles both domestic and international passengers. Its existing capacity includes around 3 crore international passengers and 2 crore domestic passengers every year. After the new pier is added, international capacity at T3 is expected to rise to around 4.6 crore passengers per year, while domestic capacity will remain at around 2 crore.
The airport’s total passenger-handling capacity is also expected to increase. Currently, Delhi airport has a combined capacity of around 10.4 crore passengers per year across its three terminals. With the planned changes, this figure is expected to cross 12.5 crore passengers annually by early 2030.
Terminal 1 will also receive a capacity improvement. Delhi International Airport Ltd plans to increase T1’s capacity from around 4 crore passengers to 4.5 crore passengers per year. This will be done by adding more check-in and security counters without making major structural changes to the terminal.
Terminal 2, meanwhile, will continue operating in its current form for the next few years. It is expected to be demolished later to make way for a larger Terminal 4, depending on future passenger demand.
The expansion comes as Delhi airport prepares for continued growth in air travel. The new international pier at T3 is expected to provide additional capacity for airlines and passengers and strengthen IGI’s position as a major international aviation hub.
The planned improvements across T1 and T3 are expected to help Delhi airport handle increasing passenger numbers while making better use of its existing infrastructure. The overall expansion is targeted to take the airport’s capacity beyond 12.5 crore passengers per year by early 2030.
Ajeet Yadav is an aviation enthusiast covering airline news, airports, aircraft, and industry developments through well-researched and reliable reporting.
