Delhi Airport is preparing for a major connectivity upgrade. Indira Gandhi International Airport is expected to have an Automated People Mover (APM) by 2030 to connect its terminals and improve passenger movement across the airport. It will also support the airport’s larger expansion plan, which aims to increase annual passenger-handling capacity to around 125 million by 2036.

What Is the Delhi Airport Automated People Mover?

An Automated People Mover is a generally driverless transit system designed to move passengers quickly between different parts of an airport. The Delhi Airport Automated People Mover is expected to help passengers travel between terminals without depending mainly on road transport. This can be especially useful for passengers with connecting flights who need to move between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. The system is expected to improve terminal connectivity, ease congestion around the airport, and make transfers easier at India’s busiest airport.

Delhi Airport APM Route and Stations

The planned APM network will stretch 7.3 km and include six stations. The route is expected to connect:

• Terminal 1
• Terminal 3
• Terminal 2 through the Terminal 3 station
• Cargo area
• Aerocity
• Delhi Metro connectivity through one of the APM stations

According to current plans, the APM will include one station at Terminal 1, three at various locations in Aerocity, one at the cargo area, and one at Terminal 3. The Terminal 3 station will also serve Terminal 2.

T1 to T3 Travel Time Could Drop to Around 13 Minutes

One of the biggest benefits of the new transit system is expected to be faster movement between terminals. Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 are located close to each other, but Terminal 1 is a few kilometres away. At present, passengers traveling between terminals usually need to use road transport. The journey can take around 15 to 20 minutes under normal conditions and longer during peak hours and VIP movements. Once the APM becomes operational, the Delhi Airport T1 to T3 travel time is expected to be around 13 minutes. The system is also expected to run at a frequency of one train every 10 minutes.

Why Delhi Airport Needs Better Terminal Connectivity

Delhi Airport handles millions of passengers every year, and passenger numbers are expected to continue growing. Many travelers use Delhi as a connecting airport for domestic and international flights. When passengers arrive at one terminal and depart from another, road transfers can add extra time and uncertainty. The new Delhi Airport transit system is expected to help by:

• Reducing dependence on road transfers
• Making terminal changes faster
• Improving passenger convenience
• Reducing congestion around airport roads
• Supporting smoother domestic and international connections

The APM is expected to become an important part of Delhi Airport’s long-term passenger transport system.

Delhi Airport APM Daily Ridership

DIAL expects the APM to have a ridership of around 55,000 passengers per day during its opening year. The projected demand shows how important inter-terminal transport could become as Delhi Airport expands and handles more passengers.

Will the Delhi Airport APM Be Free?

A final fare structure for the Delhi Airport APM has not yet been announced. DIAL has said that a decision is still pending on whether non-flying passengers will need to pay to use the system. More details are expected closer to the APM launch.

Delhi Airport Also Plans Airside Bus Transfers

Before the APM becomes operational, DIAL is also exploring other ways to improve terminal transfers. The airport operator is awaiting approval for an airside bus transfer from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1. If approved, the service could make transfers easier by allowing connecting passengers to move between terminals through the airside route rather than the public road route.

Benefits of the Delhi Airport APM for Connecting Passengers

The Automated People Mover could significantly improve the experience for passengers with connecting flights. Travelers may benefit from:

• Faster T1–T3 transfers
• Less dependence on airport road traffic
• More efficient terminal transfers
• Easier access to Aerocity
• Better links with Delhi Metro
• Smoother movement between domestic and international flights

This will become increasingly important as Delhi Airport handles more passengers and flight connections.

Delhi Airport Prepares for Growth Through 2036

Delhi Airport is preparing for higher passenger traffic through 2036. If the project stays on schedule, passengers could begin using the Delhi Airport APM by 2030, which is expected to make terminal transfers faster and reduce pressure on airport roads.

For travelers using Indira Gandhi International Airport for domestic or international connections, the new transit system could make terminal transfers much simpler. Those comparing long-haul fares can also explore international flight fares at Indian Eagle when planning travel.

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