The Indira Gandhi International Airport is Asia’s aviation crown jewel. The airport has set an ambitious blueprint that includes more than just adding extra runways or gates. As Delhi Airport plans to transform into the largest transit hub in Asia, it’s having a complete overhaul. 

Soon, passengers traveling through Indira Gandhi International Airport can enjoy upgraded terminals, seamless passenger flow, and a tech-driven experience. The airport understands that modern-day travelers demand efficiency and comfort. So they’re investing heavily to deliver.

How will Delhi Airport become the largest transit hub in Asia? 

The airport plans to become the largest hub for transiting passengers by implementing several key initiatives. 

Improving Infrastructure: For this, new terminals are being built while the existing ones are being upgraded. This will improve the capacity, thereby improving passenger experience for those travelling on flights to Delhi. 

Working with reputed airlines: Notably, it wants to attract more international carriers and increase the number of destinations served. 

Accepting Innovations: The airport is investing heavily in technology. It’s implementing new systems, which will streamline airport operations. The Delhi Airport has also recently launched a smart police booth at Terminal 3 to enhance security screening. All this will enhance efficiency and reduce wait times, thereby making travel smoother. 

Furthermore, the airport’s location is a key advantage. Delhi is strategically located and is a gateway to South Asia. It’s also a convenient stopover for flights between Europe and Southeast Asia. The aim is to make Delhi a go-to stopover, rivaling established hubs like Singapore and Dubai. The airport is also focusing on cargo as it wants to become a major cargo hub. This will boost trade.

How will technology help in making Delhi Airport the largest transit hub in Asia? 

The IGI Airport is embracing cutting-edge technology to minimize delays and maximize efficiency. Be it automated check-in or real-time flight updates, the goal is to make every step of the passenger’s journey as smooth and stress-free as possible. This tech-forward approach isn’t just about convenience; it’s about building a future-proof airport.

Interestingly, the next few years will be crucial in determining if Delhi Airport can achieve its grand vision. The world of aviation is watching to see if Delhi can rise to the challenge and claim its place as the largest transit hub in Asia. According to many, this isn’t just about building an airport; it’s about building a legacy.

Which is your favorite airport in Asia for transit? How else do you think Indira Gandhi International Airport can improve as one of Asia’s leading transiting hubs. Comment below and share your experience transiting through IGI Airport. 

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Delhi Airport is making air travel more safe. In line with the Digital India initiative, the Indira Gandhi International Airport has launched a smart police booth at Terminal 3. This is a much-needed digital leap in safety and surveillance. The smart police booth at Delhi Airport marks a major step forward in modern, tech-driven policing. 

What is a smart police booth?

A smart police booth is a compact structure that is equipped with several cutting-edge digital features. This is specifically designed to offer quick assistance to passengers in need. It generally includes a digital interface, emergency buttons and real-time video monitoring. A communication system linked to the central police control room is also available.

The booth at Delhi Airport operates 24/7. It allows passengers to seek police help at the touch of a button. Furthermore, it is staffed by trained officers who can respond quickly in case of any issue or emergency.

Boosting Passenger Security at IGI Airport

As the air traffic at Indira Gandhi International Airport is increasing every year, the need for safety has grown. The smart police booth at Delhi Airport is meant to give passengers a sense of security. The smart booth is visible, accessible and responsive. Notably, it allows the police to act faster and more efficiently.

Furthermore, the presence of digital surveillance also helps prevent crimes and manage crowds better. It adds a strong layer of safety without disrupting airport operations.

What are the features of the smart police booth at Delhi Airport? 

The smart police booth at IGI Airport is not just a physical police presence—it’s a digital innovation. The booth uses smart cameras and monitoring tools. These are linked to the central database and surveillance systems. It helps the police in identifying suspicious activity and responding in real time.

Interestingly, this initiative also supports e-FIR registration. Passengers can register non-urgent complaints directly through the booth’s system. This is especially helpful for tourists and international passengers who may need support in unfamiliar situations.

Also Read: The Future of Reinforcement Learning in the Aviation Industry

As airports become busier and more complex, such innovations are the need of the hour. The smart police booth at IGI Airport is a model that could be replicated at other major airports across India. You can make use of Indian Eagle flight deals to book your flights to Delhi from USA and get the best airfare available. So the next time you are in Delhi, you can explore the booth yourself. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the smart police booth at IGI Airport available 24/7?
Yes, the smart police booth is accessible 24/7 for all passengers. 

2. Can I file an FIR using the smart police booth as a tourist?
Yes, as a tourist, you can file an e-FIR using the booth’s system. 

3. Did Delhi Airport launch this initiative?
The smart police booth at Delhi Airport is an initiative in collaboration with the Delhi Police and Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL). 

4. Will there be more smart police booths available in IGI Airport?
Yes, more such booths may be introduced across terminals in the future. When that happens, Travel Diary aviation news will keep you updated. 

The goal of this initiative is to build a seamless passenger experience where safety is never compromised. The smart police booth shows that a modern city like Delhi is ready to use smart infrastructure, not just to protect but to serve as well.

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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.

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.

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.

Terminal 3:

With the efficiency to serve about 34 million travelers each year, Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 3 is among the largest ones in the world. IGI Airport international 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Which is the best terminal in Delhi Airport?

When it comes to Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in Delhi, Terminal 3 is generally considered the best. It is the newest and biggest terminal as it takes care of both domestic and international flights. It has a wide range of food and shopping options, modern conveniences, and effective passenger services.

• How far is Delhi International Airport from the domestic airport?

At Indira Gandhi International Airport, there are roughly 8 kilometers (5 miles) between Terminal 1 (domestic) and Terminal 3 (international). There is a shuttle bus service available, and depending on traffic, the trip often takes 15 to 20 minutes. 

• How many terminals are in Indira Gandhi International Airport?

Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3 are the three primary terminals at Indira Gandhi International Airport.

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Delhi Airport is one of the busiest airports in India. The hub received a whopping 7,36,73,708 passengers in 2023-2024. IGI Airport frequently upgrades its facilities in order to enhance travel experience. Be it adding more check in lanes or implementing DigiYatra, Delhi Airport services cater to improving airport journeys. Now to further reduce wait times and enable faster check-ins, an innovative self baggage drop facility at Delhi Airport has been launched. 

Earlier this month Bengaluru Airport revolutionized baggage handling systems by introducing biometric enabled self bag drop facility for domestic flights. And now the self service bag drop at Delhi Airport will let passengers traveling through Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 bypass traditional check-in desks. 

Self-Service Bag Drop Quick Drop Solution

The Indira Gandhi International Airport has set up around 50 self-service bag drop machines. IndiGo, Air India Express, and Air India passengers can print their boarding passes and baggage tags at Common Use Self-Service (CUSS) kiosks. It eliminates the need for a boarding pass or biometric verification, bringing down the processing time from one minute to just 30 seconds. Passengers traveling through Indian Eagle cheap tickets say that this will likely reduce wait times and save up to 30 minutes in the overall check-in process. 

Biometric Registration Kiosks at IGI 

Along with the SSBD units, IGI Airport has also installed five biometric registration kiosks at the international arrival pier. These kiosks will expedite immigration procedures for foreign tourists who obtained visas without submitting biometric information before. Overseen by the Bureau of Immigration, this initiative will reduce the time required by immigration agents by over 50%.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the self-service bag drop quick drop solution work? 

• Passengers collect and attach bag tags at the Common Use Self-Service kiosks.
• Travelers then place their bags onto the self service bag drop conveyor belt.
• Passengers should now select their airline from the SSBD machine.
• Travelers now need to sign the self-declaration form for dangerous goods with a single click.
• The system conducts internal checks based on airline criteria and business rules. After verification, the bag is automatically processed.

Which terminals have the new self-service bag drop quick drop solution at IGI?

Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 have installed the new self baggage drop facility at Delhi Airport. 

Which airports in India have the self-service bag drop facility? 

According to DIAL, Delhi Airport is the first airport in India to have the self-service bag drop quick drop solution. Although it is reportedly also implemented at Toronto Airport in Canada. 

The introduction of the self baggage drop facility at Delhi Airport and biometric registration kiosks marks a significant advancement in airport services in India. Such innovations not only speed up processes but also improve the overall travel experience for passengers.

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As the world is going digital, most of the things even in the travel industry are being done electronically. And as a growing IT hub, India too is introducing an array of latest technologies to benefit its citizens and tourists. A beta version of one such new service, the DigiYatra program was successfully introduced at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on 15th August this year. 

And now the Ministry of Civil Aviation has rolled out DigiYatra at 3 airports in India. It is aimed to make the boarding process digital and seamless. Further improvising the security, the departure control system of the particular airline the passengers are flying with will verify their data. 

Faces to be the New Boarding Passes

Through DigiYatra’s facial recognition technology, passengers will be able to pass through various checkpoints at the airport without physical IDs or boarding passes. This could sound surprising to many but now your face can act as your boarding pass! 

Which Airports in India have Implemented the DigiYatra Program?

The Civil Aviation Ministry of India has introduced the DigiYatra Program at one of the three major airports in India on 1st December. These airports are mentioned below: 

1. Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. 
2. Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi.
3. Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore. 

DigiYatra is also believed to be implemented in a phased manner across various other airports in India by next year. 

How to Get Paperless Entry at the DigiYatra-Enabled Airports in India?

If you are flying through Delhi, Bangalore or Varanasi, you can avail a paperless and hassle-free entry by following these steps: 

Step 1: Download the DigiYatra app from the app store. 

Step 2: Register your details on the DigiYatra app.

Step 3: Provide the required Aadhar-based details. 

Step 4: Click your selfie for the DigiYatra app.

Step 5: Scan your boarding pass to update in the app.

Step 6: Your credentials will be shared with the airport (Delhi, Bangalore or Varanasi).  

Step 7: Go ahead and scan the bar coded boarding pass at the e-gate of the airport.

Step 8: Your identity and travel documents will be validated by the ‘facial recognition system’ at the e-gate. 

Step 9: You will now be allowed to enter the airport via the e-gate.

Step 10: Now you can board the aircraft after going through the regular security clearance procedures. 

With new travel apps such as DigiYatra, technology has been revolutionizing the tourism sector. With these innovations, you never know, you might soon be able to also see the advent of Metaverse tourism in India. 

You can book cheap flight tickets from USA to India via Indian Eagle and travel to these cities at affordable prices. So, why wait? Plan your itinerary today and get ready to go through a seamless boarding process via DigiYatra.

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Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) is now the first and the only airport in India to run entire operations on solar and hydro power. This step is in line with the airport’s mission to be the Net Zero Carbon Emission Airport by 2030. With this latest move, the airport will reduce CO2 emissions by 2 lakh tons every year.

Delhi Airport started utilizing hydro energy from 1st June, 2022. IGIA also meets almost 6% of its electricity requirement via on-site solar power facilities, which are on the cargo terminal roofs and the airside. Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) is a GMR-led facility. The company has signed an agreement with a hydropower producing company in Himachal Pradesh.

“DIAL has been working relentlessly towards environmental sustainability and has set its target to make Delhi Airport a Net Zero Carbon Emission airport by 2030, way ahead of the global target of 2050. To achieve this, DIAL has adopted a Green Transportation program recently and now we achieved another milestone of the Green Energy Program for IGIA,” said CEO-DIAL Videh Kumar Jaipuriar.

DIAL has been instrumental in launching green initiatives. In 2019, it introduced TaxiBots at the airport; reducing airlines’ fuel consumption during taxiing. It has also initiated a program to slowly phase out all petrol and diesel vehicles and replace them with electric vehicles.

Check out the green initiatives at the Delhi Airport the next time you are there. Indian Eagle offers flight tickets from USA to Delhi and other destinations. Delhi is one of the top places to visit in India. So, book your tickets now!

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Delhi Airport has introduced RFID tags, a smart baggage tracking solution for common baggage problems faced by travelers like missing or delayed baggage. Passengers arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport can now track every movement of their checked-in luggage and get SMS alerts as to when and on which belt their luggage arrives at the terminal.

All you need to do to receive real-time information about your luggage’s journey through the airport is buy personalized luggage tags called ‘BAGG TRAX’ at the Delhi Airport, scan its QR code, register it on bag.hoi.in, and tie this tag to your luggage.

This smart tag, enabled by Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, helps with easy tracking of your luggage. You will also get an SMS notification when your luggage is ready to be picked up at the designated baggage belt.

“Delhi Airport is the first Indian airport to introduce this facility,” GMR Group-led DIAL (Delhi International Airport Limited) said in a statement.

Suggested Read: Check Out What’s New at the Delhi Airport

At present, these RFID-enabled tags are available for only a small group of select frequent flyers at Terminal 3, but this service will be launched fully in the coming months. Passengers arriving at the Delhi airport on domestic and international flights will soon be able to buy BAGG TRAX tags in the departure sections of all terminals in the airport.

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