The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi, India’s busiest aviation hub, is set to temporarily close its Terminal 2 (T2) starting April to facilitate critical runway upgradation work. The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a GMR Group-led consortium managing the airport, announced today that the closure will last approximately four to six months, aligning with the start of the new financial year on April 1. The move aims to bolster the airport’s infrastructure to handle the rising tide of passenger traffic and ensure smoother operations in the long term.
The temporary shutdown of T2 is tied to a broader plan to upgrade the airport’s runway system, including enhancements to Runway 10/28, one of the facility’s four operational runways. Sources indicate that the upgradation will involve strengthening the runway surface and integrating advanced technologies to improve efficiency and safety, particularly during adverse weather conditions such as fog, which has historically disrupted flights at IGIA. “This is about future-proofing the airport,” said a DIAL spokesperson, emphasising that the work will minimise future disruptions while boosting capacity.
During the closure, T2’s domestic flight operations, serving airlines including IndiGo and SpiceJet, will shift to the newly expanded Terminal 1 (T1), which doubled its capacity to 40 million passengers annually following its inauguration in March 2024. DIAL assures that the transition will cause minimal inconvenience, with T1 equipped to absorb the additional load. The 40-year-old T2, originally built by the Airports Authority of India, has struggled to keep pace with modern demands, prompting this strategic overhaul.
The runway upgradation complements recent improvements at IGIA, such as the operationalisation of the fourth runway (11L/29R) in July 2023 and the recarpeting of Runway 10/28 completed in February 2024. However, with domestic passenger traffic projected to hit peak capacity by FY 2025-26, these upgrades are deemed essential. The project also includes plans to enhance taxiways and airfield lighting, ensuring the airport remains a key regional hub.
While the closure has raised concerns among frequent flyers about potential congestion at T1, DIAL’s CEO, Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, expressed confidence in the contingency measures. “We’ve planned this meticulously to keep operations seamless,” he said. The refurbished T2 is expected to reopen by late 2025, potentially taking on some international flights to ease pressure on Terminal 3, though its long-term fate includes eventual demolition for a new terminal. For now, Delhi’s travelers brace for a temporary reshuffle as the capital’s gateway prepares for a more robust future.