How Many Terminals in Delhi Airport

Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), commonly referred to as Delhi Airport, is the busiest aviation hub in India and one of the largest and most important airports in the world. It serves as a gateway not only to the national capital region of India but also to global destinations across continents. A critical aspect of understanding this sprawling facility is knowing how many terminals it comprises and how they function to support tens of millions of passengers each year.

Overview: A Major Aviation Hub

IGIA is located in the southwestern part of New Delhi and spans over thousands of acres. Managed by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), it has evolved dramatically from its early beginnings into a modern airport complex with advanced infrastructure and world-class passenger amenities. As of 2025, the airport handled tens of millions of passengers annually, solidifying its status as a major international aviation center.

One of the core elements that make IGIA efficient and capable of managing heavy traffic is the structure of its terminals—dedicated spaces where passengers check in, clear security, board their flights, and arrive from destinations near and far.

How Many Terminals Are There?

Delhi Airport currently has three main passenger terminals: Terminal 1 (T1), Terminal 2 (T2), and Terminal 3 (T3).

Additionally, the airport includes a cargo terminal that handles freight operations, as well as temporary and auxiliary facilities during special operations or peak demand periods. But for passenger flights, the focus remains on the three core terminals.

Terminal 1 (T1): The Domestic Terminal

Terminal 1, often referred to simply as T1, primarily handles domestic flights, especially those operated by low-cost carriers such as IndiGo, SpiceJet, and others. This terminal is a hub for travellers flying within India.

Key Features of Terminal 1

• Dedicated Domestic Services: T1 serves mainly budget and regional flights, helping to segregate high-traffic domestic movements from international operations.
• Recent Expansion: In recent years, T1 underwent significant renovation and expansion. The old multiple structures (such as T1A, T1B, T1C, and T1D) were consolidated into a single, unified terminal with better capacity and passenger flow.
• Amenities: The terminal is equipped with all essential passenger services, including check-in counters, security checkpoints, baggage claim systems, lounges, and food and retail outlets.

While T1 is focused on domestic travel, it plays a crucial role in managing the sheer volume of passengers moving within India, especially given the rapid expansion of budget airlines in recent years.

Terminal 2 (T2): A Domestic Reinforcement

Terminal 2 at Delhi Airport has had an interesting journey. Historically, it was first used for international services when it opened in 1986. However, after the opening of Terminal 3 in 2010, most international flights were moved out of T2.

Recent History and Function

• Renovation and Reopening: After undergoing extensive upgrades, T2 has been modernized with enhanced passenger facilities. By late 2025, it resumed operations handling domestic flights.
• Support Role: Today, T2 supports domestic travel, complementing T1, especially as the passenger volume grows and airlines expand their route networks.
• Evolving Use: The exact use of T2 can shift depending on airport needs, renovation schedules, and airline operations. But its role as a domestic terminal remains important.

Terminal 2, with its updated facilities and expanded services, ensures that IGIA has the capacity to manage future aviation growth and reduces congestion in the neighbouring terminals.

Terminal 3 (T3): The International Giant

Terminal 3, or T3, is arguably the crown jewel of Delhi Airport. Opened in 2010 just before the Commonwealth Games in India, this terminal is one of the largest airport terminals in the world.

What Makes T3 Special

• International and Domestic Hub: T3 is the main terminal for international flights, connecting Delhi with destinations across the globe. In addition, many full-service domestic flights also operate from here.
• Massive Size and Capacity: Spread across millions of square feet, T3 features extensive check-in facilities, immigration counters, aerobridges, baggage systems, duty-free zones, lounges, and a wide array of services.
• Airline Operations: All major global carriers—such as Emirates, British Airways, Lufthansa and others—use T3 for their flights in and out of Delhi.
• Connectivity: The terminal is well connected via highway and metro lines, making transit to and from central Delhi efficient.

T3’s advanced infrastructure and capacity make it critical to IGIA’s function as an international gateway.

Terminal Connectivity and Passenger Experience

Even though the three terminals at Delhi Airport serve different purposes, they are connected via a free airport shuttle service, allowing passengers to transfer between terminals with ease.

• Shuttle Buses: Operate frequently, especially for passengers connecting between flights.
• Metro Connectivity: The Delhi Metro‘s Airport Express Line serves T3 and T2, offering quick access to the city’s transit network. Meanwhile, the Magenta Line serves Terminal 1.
• Future Plans: To enhance connectivity further, airport authorities are planning advanced people-mover systems to link the terminals more directly, reflecting the airport’s future-ready infrastructure vision.

Future Developments

While IGIA currently operates three terminals, plans for future expansion are often discussed. Concepts for additional terminals—such as T4, T5, or T6—have been mentioned as long-term solutions to meet rapidly increasing air travel demand. However, these remain part of future airport master plans and are not operational as of 2025.

Airports worldwide continuously evolve, and Delhi Airport is no exception. With rising passenger numbers and expanding airline routes, future terminal development will likely be part of the airport’s growth trajectory.

Conclusion

In summary, Delhi Airport has three main passenger terminals: Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3. Each terminal serves specific roles—primarily domestic operations for T1 and T2, and international (as well as some domestic) flights for T3.

These terminals together support one of the busiest airports in Asia, ensuring efficient handling of passengers and flights and connecting Delhi to a global network of destinations. As aviation continues to expand, IGIA’s terminal infrastructure will play a vital role in shaping the travel experience for millions of passengers each year.