Delhi Airport’s Terminal 2 reopens; Air India & IndiGo begin split domestic operations

• Delhi Airport has reopened its renovated Terminal 2, redistributing select Air India and IndiGo domestic flights to ease congestion and improve terminal balance.
• The modernised facility introduces automation and accessibility upgrades, from self-baggage drops and DigiYatra integration to new boarding bridges and expanded passenger areas.
• With a capacity for 15 million passengers a year, Terminal 2 strengthens Delhi’s position as a multi-terminal hub and enhances overall operational efficiency across IGI Airport.

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has reopened its refurbished Terminal 2, marking the return of one of India’s oldest passenger terminals in an all-new form. The upgrade, inaugurated by Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu on Saturday, went live with passenger operations today and redistributes part of Air India and IndiGo’s domestic networks to ease congestion at India’s busiest airport.

“The upgraded T2 is a symbol of a connected, competitive and caring India,” the minister said at the opening, describing the facility as part of the government’s wider aim to make Delhi a seamless multi-terminal hub.

A phased shift in domestic operations

From Sunday morning, Delhi Airport’s terminal balance changed for the first time since 2023.

• Air India has moved its domestic flights numbered 1000–1999 to Terminal 2, while all international flights and the remainder of its domestic network continue at Terminal 3.

• IndiGo has shifted its domestic flights numbered 2000–2999 to the new terminal, while its other services remain at Terminals 1 and 3.

Together, the change covers roughly 120 daily flights, or close to one-fifth of Delhi’s total domestic departures. DIAL expects this redistribution to shorten processing times at Terminal 1, which has been under capacity pressure since post-pandemic growth returned.

Terminal 2’s reopening was timed deliberately with the start of the 2025–26 winter schedule, when daily aircraft movements at IGI cross 1,400. The upgrade comes after a six-month closure for renovation; work began in April 2025 to expand passenger areas, refresh interiors and introduce automation across multiple touchpoints.

Inside the new-look T2: efficiency meets accessibility

Passengers arriving this morning encountered a space that bears little resemblance to the 1980s-built structure it replaces. The remodel has focused on throughput, safety and accessibility.

Key upgrades include:

• Self-Baggage Drop (SBD) counters and automated kiosks, allowing passengers to check in and tag luggage independently.
• Six new passenger boarding bridges with autonomous docking technology and integrated wheelchair-friendly ramps, manufactured in South Korea.
• Virtual information desks and large-format flight-display screens that offer real-time gate and baggage updates.
• Integration with DigiYatra, enabling facial-recognition entry for registered travellers.
• Real-time wait-time tracker displays for key checkpoints including terminal entry, check-in, security and immigration, helping travellers plan their movement through the terminal.
• Modern skylight-designed ceilings and an open-plan interior layout create a brighter, more welcoming atmosphere while easing passenger flow and reducing congestion.
• State-of-the-art HVAC systems, advanced fire-protection infrastructure and upgraded lighting complete the terminal’s modernisation.

According to DIAL, these enhancements are designed to cut check-in and boarding times by up to 20 per cent. The new design also aligns with the airport’s sustainability plan through energy-efficient lighting and optimised air-conditioning controls.

Capacity, connectivity and Delhi’s long-term hub plan

With the refurbishment complete, T2 can now handle an estimated 15 million passengers annually, taking IGI’s total system capacity beyond 100 million passengers per year across its three active The reopening of the terminal also reinstates operational flexibility that had been restricted during the renovation period, when all domestic low-cost traffic was directed into T1.

“Delhi is emerging as one of the top aviation hubs in the world,” said DIAL CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar in a statement. “The reopening of Terminal 2 enhances our ability to manage peak domestic flows and offer passengers a smoother experience through advanced technology and upgraded infrastructure.”

For airlines, the reconfiguration simplifies slot management during peak hours and provides additional parking and turn-around space for narrow-body fleets. For passengers, it reduces the commute burden between terminals for domestic-to-domestic transfers, a segment that has grown with the rise in connecting traffic through Delhi.

The move aligns with Delhi Airport’s broader master plan, which aims to expand capacity in phases across all terminals until the late 2020s and to integrate with the upcoming Noida International Airport.

What passengers need to remember

The airport authority has issued reminders across social and digital channels:

• Check your terminal before leaving for the airport. Air India (1000–1999) and IndiGo (2000–2999) now operate from Terminal 2.
• Arrive early during the first week as passengers and cab operators adjust to the new allocations.
• Use the Self-Baggage Drop for faster check-in and explore DigiYatra for smoother entry.
• Terminal 1 continues to host Akasa, SpiceJet and remaining IndiGo flights, while Terminal 3 handles international and long-haul domestic services.

Why it matters for Delhi-NCR

For Delhi, the reopening is less about new infrastructure and more about optimising what exists. By splitting flight-number ranges of the two largest airlines, DIAL gains the flexibility to manage aircraft stands, boarding gates and baggage systems more predictably.

The proximity of T2 to T3 also enables smoother domestic-to-domestic transfers within the same campus, a growing segment as connecting traffic through Delhi increases. DIAL estimates nearly 50,000 transfer passengers daily, highlighting the need for balanced terminal operations.

T2’s location on the Airport Express Metro corridor ensures quick city access: passengers alighting at IGI Airport (T3) station can reach T2 via a short covered walkway or a free shuttle running round-the-clock between T1, T2 and T3.

For passengers, the change may feel modest — just a different door number, a new bridge, a faster check-in — but for the airport system that moves nearly 200,000 people a day, this rediscovered terminal closes a critical loop in Delhi’s capacity puzzle.

Also Read: Delhi Airport Reopens Terminal 2 on October 26, Boosting Capacity to 100 Million Passengers Annually