Proposed 10-Year Master Plan Includes New Terminal 3 Pier and Space for Future Infrastructure
NEW DELHI — Delhi International Airport Ltd. has proposed a phased expansion that would increase the annual passenger-handling capacity of Indira Gandhi International Airport from 106 million to 125 million by 2032, as India’s busiest airport prepares for sustained growth in domestic and international travel.
The proposed 10-year master plan centers on the construction of a new passenger pier at Terminal 3 and preserves space for longer-term projects, including a potential Terminal 4 and an Automated People Mover system. The broader development framework will guide airport infrastructure planning through 2036.
DIAL, which is led by the GMR Group consortium, is consulting with stakeholders before finalizing the plan. The company has not disclosed the expected investment required for the proposed expansion.
Delhi Airport Targets Expansion in Two Phases
Under the proposal, the airport’s annual capacity would rise from 106 million passengers to 116 million by April 2030. A second phase would increase capacity to 125 million passengers annually by 2032.
The expansion is intended to help the airport accommodate rising traffic while supporting efficient passenger movement and airline operations. Delhi Airport serves as a major hub for carriers including Air India and IndiGo and plays a central role in connecting India with international markets.
Passenger demand has continued to increase. Delhi Airport handled approximately 6 million passengers in July 2026, up 3.7% from the same month a year earlier. Passenger traffic reached 26.4 million during the first four months of the 2026-27 financial year, through the end of July.
The traffic gains reinforce the need for additional infrastructure, particularly as Indian airlines expand their fleets and add new domestic and international routes.
Terminal 3 Pier E Scheduled for Completion by 2030
Existing Terminals Provide Capacity for 106 Million Passengers
Delhi Airport currently operates three passenger terminals with a combined annual capacity of 106 million.
Terminal 1 can accommodate 42 million passengers annually, while Terminal 2 has capacity for 14 million. Terminal 3, the airport’s largest terminal, can handle as many as 50 million passengers each year.
Terminal 3 serves both domestic and international operations. Its current capacity includes approximately 19 million domestic passengers and 31 million international passengers annually.
The terminal has four passenger piers. Piers A and B are used for international flights, while Piers C and D were initially assigned to domestic services. Pier C has since been converted to support international operations.
New Pier Expected to Strengthen International Operations
The proposed Pier E would be constructed at Terminal 3 by April 2030 and represents the principal infrastructure project in the first phase of DIAL’s plan.
Passenger piers extend from the main terminal and connect travelers with aircraft parking positions, generally through aerobridges. Adding another pier would allow Terminal 3 to support more gates and improve its ability to handle higher flight volumes, particularly for international services.
The new facility is expected to help raise the airport’s overall annual capacity to 116 million passengers before the second phase of development begins.
Terminal 4 and Airport Transit System Remain Under Evaluation
DIAL’s proposal also preserves flexibility for projects that could become necessary if passenger growth exceeds current forecasts.
The plan would reserve a 7.5-kilometer, or approximately 4.7-mile, right of way for an Automated People Mover. The system was initially envisioned as an elevated and partly ground-level transit network connecting Terminal 1 with the airport’s other terminals.
An airport transit system could reduce transfer times and provide a more convenient connection for passengers traveling between terminals. However, DIAL has not established a construction schedule for the project.
No final decision has been made on Terminal 4. If traffic rises beyond projected levels, Terminal 2 could eventually be redeveloped as a new Terminal 4, creating additional terminal and passenger-processing capacity.
Both projects remain long-term options and will depend on future passenger demand, airline requirements and operational conditions.
Master Plan Will Guide Development Through 2036
The proposed expansion would allow Delhi Airport to increase near-term capacity without limiting its ability to pursue larger projects later. Pier E would address expected growth at Terminal 3, while reserved space for the Automated People Mover and a possible Terminal 4 would support future development.
Once approved, the master plan will establish DIAL’s infrastructure priorities through 2036 and position Delhi Airport to manage continued growth as India’s aviation market expands.
