Air India Moves Flights To T1 And T2 Amid Terminal 3 Expansion

Air India and Air India Express will shift select domestic operations to Terminals 1 (T1) and 2 (T2) from 26 October to accommodate expansion works at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport’s Terminal 3 (T3), the airlines said on Friday.

Expansion works at T3

The move follows the commencement of large-scale enlargement works at T3 by Delhi International Airport Ltd. (DIAL). The upgrades are aimed at expanding international passenger capacity, but in the process will temporarily reduce space available for domestic operations.

Currently, Air India operates around 180 daily domestic departures from Delhi. Of these, 60 services will be relocated to T2. Air India Express, meanwhile, will transfer its entire domestic network to the newly renovated T1. International

flights for both carriers will continue from T3 without disruption.

Upgraded T2 to reopen

The revamped T2 terminal, with an annual capacity of 15 million passengers, will also reopen on 26 October. While its handling capacity remains unchanged, the facility has undergone significant refurbishment. Improvements include new flooring, aerobridges, washrooms, and structural reinforcements designed to enhance the passenger experience.

Air India explained that domestic flights operating from T2 will carry four-digit flight numbers beginning with the digit 1, such as AI1737 or AI1787. This renumbering is intended to help passengers easily distinguish relocated services.

Given the relocation, passengers with connecting flights between terminals will be supported with dedicated transfer services. Inter-terminal buses will operate between T1, T2 and T3, ensuring convenient movement for travellers.

Importantly, through-checked baggage will be transferred airside by airline staff. This means passengers will not need to retrieve and recheck their luggage when moving between terminals for onward flights.

Passenger support

Both airlines emphasised that they are taking steps to minimise inconvenience during the transition. Passengers booked on affected flights will be proactively informed through registered mobile numbers and email addresses.

“Terminal enlargement works at T3 have necessitated the relocation of certain domestic operations of Air India and Air India Express. These arrangements will ensure smooth travel while supporting DIAL’s efforts to boost international handling capacity,” the airline group said in a statement.

The terminal reshuffle reflects Delhi airport’s growing role as a major international hub. Once the T3 expansion is complete, the facility is expected to handle significantly higher volumes of international traffic, cementing its position as one of Asia’s busiest gateways.

For now, Air India and Air India Express are urging passengers to carefully check their flight numbers, terminal assignments and communication updates before travel to avoid last-minute confusion.