Delhi Airport T3 Upgrade: Big Relief For International Passengers

Passengers travelling through Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport are set to experience smoother international travel, with a significant infrastructure upgrade at Terminal-3 expected to roll out from next week.

In a move aimed at easing congestion and improving turnaround time, airport authorities are preparing to operationalise a third international pier at Terminal-3. Once functional, arriving international flights will no longer face extended waits for aerobridges, reducing delays in passenger disembarkation and boarding.

A senior airport official confirmed that Terminal-3 currently operates four piers, of which two are dedicated to international flights and two to domestic operations. However, Pier C, previously used for domestic traffic,

has now been upgraded to handle international flights. Subject to final clearances, it is likely to become operational for international services in the coming days. This transition will effectively increase the number of international piers to three, leaving one pier for domestic use.

Viewed from above, Terminal-3 is designed as a square structure with four projecting corridors, or piers, each equipped with aerobridges on either side to facilitate boarding and deboarding, while aircraft are stationed along both flanks.

The expansion comes against the backdrop of a sharp rise in international passenger traffic. Officials noted a growing preference among Indian travellers for overseas destinations, particularly in Southeast and Central Asia, contributing to the surge. At present, Terminal-3 handles approximately 1.05 lakh passengers daily, including around 60,000 international and 45,000 domestic flyers.

In parallel, the airport is also revamping its transit infrastructure to streamline connections for international passengers. Nearly 4,000 travellers transfer between international flights at Delhi Airport every day.

To improve this experience, a dedicated airside transfer system is being introduced. Under the new arrangement, transit passengers will be transported via buses within the airport premises, eliminating the need to exit the terminal and reducing the risk of missed connections.