Indira Gandhi International Airport is the primary airport serving Delhi, the national capital of India, and the busiest airport in the country. Located in Palam, approximately 16 kilometers southwest of New Delhi railway station, the airport was originally established as a military facility in 1930 and began commercial operations in 1962. DEL handles over 72 million passengers per year, making it one of the busiest airports in Asia. Terminal 3, which opened in 2010 for the Commonwealth Games, is one of the largest terminal buildings in the world, with capacity for 40 million passengers annually. Terminal 1 serves domestic low-cost carriers and was recently redeveloped with expanded capacity. The airport is a hub for Air India, IndiGo, and other major Indian carriers, and hosts numerous international airlines. The Delhi Metro Airport Express Line connects Terminal 3 to New Delhi station in approximately 20 minutes, providing seamless access to the city's extensive metro network. The airport operates three runways and has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past two decades, winning the Airports Council International award for best airport in the Asia-Pacific region. Delhi's position in the northern Indian subcontinent makes it the principal gateway for international visitors to India and a connecting point for traffic between Europe, the Middle East, and destinations across South and Southeast Asia. The airport also handles significant cargo volumes, supporting India's growing export economy.

Aviation Terms

机场灯光系统 (AGL: Airfield Lighting) 机场类别 (Airport Category) 机场标高 (ELEV: Airport Elevation) 机场消防站 (ARFF: Airport Fire Station) 机场贵宾室 (Airport Lounge) 机场基准点 (ARP: Airport Reference Point) 停机坪 (Apron) 自动护照查验 (APC: Automated Passport Control)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get from Delhi Airport to the city center?

The Delhi Airport Metro Express (Orange Line) runs from Terminal 3 to New Delhi Railway Station in about 20 minutes. Fares range from INR 60-100. The metro operates from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Prepaid taxi counters inside the arrivals hall offer fixed-rate rides to various city zones, with fares to Connaught Place around INR 350-500.

How many terminals does Delhi Airport have?

Indira Gandhi International Airport has three terminals. Terminal 3 is the main international terminal and also handles domestic flights of full-service carriers. Terminal 1 (recently expanded) serves low-cost domestic airlines like IndiGo and SpiceJet. Terminal 2 handles overflow domestic and some international flights.

Which airlines have a hub at Delhi Airport?

Air India (Star Alliance) uses DEL as its primary hub, especially after its acquisition by the Tata Group and ongoing fleet expansion. IndiGo, the largest Indian carrier by market share, operates its biggest base from DEL with over 300 daily departures. Vistara merged into Air India in late 2024.

Does Delhi Airport have transit facilities for connecting passengers?

Terminal 3 offers a dedicated transit area for international-to-international connections. The minimum connection time is 3 hours for international transfers. The terminal has transit hotels, lounges, duty-free shops, and restaurants accessible without entering India. An Indian transit visa is not required for most nationalities when staying airside.

Is there free Wi-Fi at Delhi Airport?

Yes, DEL offers 45 minutes of free Wi-Fi per session in all terminals. Connect to the network named BIAL Free Wi-Fi and verify with your mobile phone number. After the free period, you can purchase extended access. Speeds support general browsing and light video calls.