Home India Airports Everything you need to know about Indira Gandhi Airport (DEL)

Everything you need to know about Indira Gandhi Airport (DEL)

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Indira Gandhi Airport
Source: Freepik

Serving Delhi, the remarkable capital city of India, Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is among the topmost and best airports in India. Often referred to simply as Delhi Airport, it’s also among the busiest Indian airports in terms of cargo as well as passenger traffic. The airport served over 62 million passengers in 2019 and the passenger movement at Delhi Airport in the post-covid travel recovery period is nearly 40 million. Indira Gandhi International Airport is among the busiest airports in the world! Located in Palam, Delhi Airport is sprawled over more than 5,100 acres of area and is at a distance of approximately 15 km from New Delhi Railway Station. The city center is about 16 km from the airport.

In 2015, the Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) was judged as the Best Airport in the World by the Airports Council International in the 25 to 40 million passenger capacity. This is just one of the many accolades of the posh Indira Gandhi Airport. Skytrax World Airport Awards has recognized Delhi Airport as ‘the Best Airport in India and South Asia’ for the fourth time in a row. Recently, it has also become the first airport in India to run entirely on solar and hydropower.

Delhi Airport Terminals:

For those planning to book cheap flights to Delhi from USA or another country, here’s a brief look at the Indira Gandhi International Airport terminals. Use this terminal guide to make your way across this world-class airport.

Tip: You can book super-cheap last minute flights for emergency travel to Delhi from the US with Indian Eagle travel agency.

Indira Gandhi Airport Terminal 1:

With the capacity to handle approximately 20 million passengers per year, the Indira Gandhi Airport Terminal 1 is used by low-cost carriers to operate domestic flights.  Terminal 1-C is assigned as the arrivals section while Terminal 1-D is meant for departures. An inter-terminal shuttle bus connects both terminals.

Renovation work is underway at Terminal-1 to double its passenger capacity from the present 20 to 40 million passengers per annum by the end of 2022.

Indira Gandhi Airport Terminal 2:

Until July 2010, the Indira Gandhi Airport Terminal 2 was used for international flights. This was stopped after international flight operations were moved to Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 3. Now, Delhi Airport Terminal 2 is used by low-cost carriers operating domestic flights. The recently revamped Terminal 2 boasts of high-end facilities and offers amazing restaurants, premium lounges as well as telecommunication, baggage wrap, and porter services. This terminal at IGI Airport can handle up to 12 million passengers per year.

Indira Gandhi Airport Terminal 3:

With the efficiency to serve about 40 million travelers each year, Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 3 is among the largest ones in the world. Indira Gandhi International Airport arrivals and departure areas are clearly marked and you can expect to enjoy top-notch airport services here.

This terminal deals with all international flight operations. IGI Terminal 3 has 6 levels – ground level and levels numbered 1 to 5 – each segregated into domestic and international areas. The ground level has areas for domestic and international arrivals whereas the first floor has departure areas.

There are plans to construct Terminals 4, 5, and 6 at Delhi Airport (DEL). Construction work for a fourth runway might also begin in the near future. When introduced, Delhi Airport will become the first airport to have four runways.

Passenger Services at Indira Gandhi International Airport:

Those booking economy or business class flights to fly in or out of Delhi can have a look at the below-listed passenger services at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). Knowing what kind of services to expect at Delhi Airport will make your transit much easier.

  • Smart Baggage Service

Delhi Airport has recently introduced smart tags called ‘BAGG TRAX,’ enabled by Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, to help passengers track their checked-in luggage. When the luggage is ready to be picked up, an SMS notification will be triggered to passengers informing them to collect their baggage at a designated baggage belt.

  • Delhi Airport Lounges

There are plenty of posh lounges at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) for travelers. For instance, at the Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 3 is the Plaza Premium Lounge, Air India “Maharaja” Lounge can be found at International and Domestic Departures, and ITC Green Lounge at International Departures airside. There are lounges at Delhi Airport domestic terminal as well.

  • Indira Gandhi International Airport Hotel

Located at Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 3 is the classy Holiday Inn Express New Delhi International Airport T3 hotel. Should your flights be delayed or canceled, you can stay at this airport hotel. You can also book rooms for a couple of hours in case your layover is too long.

  • ATMs

There are plenty of ATMs available at Delhi Airport Domestic as well as International Arrivals and Departures areas for cash-strapped travelers to use. Banks that have ATMs at Delhi Airport (DEL) include Yes Bank, Canara Bank, Allahabad Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Citibank among others.

  • Currency Exchange

International travelers can avail foreign currency exchange right here at the airport. Central Bank of India branches in Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 3 International Arrivals and Departures areas offer this service. You can also avail currency exchange via Thomas Cook at the terminal’s domestic and international arrivals and departures as well.

  • Food & Drinks

All Delhi Airport terminals offer plenty of food and drink options for travelers on the go. Expect to find food courts, coffee shops, grab-and-go food joints, and casual dining options at the airport for the convenience of passengers. Pick any place that suits you best and grab a bite to eat before you board your flight!

  • Telecom Services

Besides Wi-Fi services, passengers can also avail telecom services offered at different points of the Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminals. The top telecom service providers at Delhi Airport (DEL) are Airtel, Matrix, Uniconnect, Vodafone, and Stayconnect.

  • Duty-Free Shopping

Passengers can enjoy duty-free shopping at the Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 3 Departures area. There are scores of top stores to shop for gifts and souvenirs. Popular things to buy at the airport include apparel, jewelry, and other fashion accessories, branded watches, cosmetics, perfumes, and a horde of other amazing things.

  • Pet N’Fly

This unique facility at Indira Gandhi International Airport is aimed at passengers who are traveling with pets. Top services include transit for your pet’s freshening needs, refilling water and food bowls, and handling of arriving/departing pets among other things.

  • Delhi Airport Car rentals

There are car rental services offered at Delhi Airport (DEL) by several companies. However, if you plan on renting a car when in Delhi, it is highly recommended that you make the booking well in advance. You can book the car online at the official Delhi Airport website.

  • Luggage Storage Facility

At Indira Gandhi International Airport, passengers can safely leave their luggage for at least 30 days at a time for a certain amount of money. A valid photo ID and boarding pass are required to avail this facility. Luggage wrapping facility is also available at the airport.

  • Lost & Found Services

Lost baggage and other items found are kept at Indira Gandhi International Airport for a duration of 3 months. Passengers who lose their luggage must visit this facility located at Terminal 2 as soon as possible. The office is closed on Sundays as well as on public holidays. For further details, please visit the official airport website.

  • Additional Services

Besides the passenger services listed above, there are other services offered at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). These include medical care, wheelchairs and other special assistance for disabled passengers, facilities for pregnant women, beauty services, and more.

Hotels near Indira Gandhi International Airport:

Travelers who do not wish to stay at the Delhi Airport hotel can book rooms at hotels near the Indira Gandhi International Airport. Some of the most popular nearby hotels to stay at include Vivanta New Delhi, JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity, Hotel Novotel New Delhi Aerocity, and FabHotel Olivia Suite New Delhi Airport among others. You are advised to check hotel reviews online before booking rooms.

Nearby Airports:

Located approximately 233 km away, Agra Airport is the nearest major airport to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). Other nearby alternate airports to Delhi Airport are Jaipur International Airport (JAI), Jolly Grant Airport (DED), and Chandigarh International Airport (IXC). For your trip to New Delhi, you can book connecting cheap flights to Delhi from any of these nearby airports.

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