The initiative is designed to reduce cargo transit time, handling costs and congestion by allowing secured transshipment cargo to move through dedicated facilities without mandatory re-screening, subject to prescribed security safeguards. Since the pilot began on June 20, around 280 metric tonnes of cargo has been transshipped through Delhi, while aircraft capacity utilisation rose from 75 per cent to nearly 100 per cent. The reform reduced transit time on the Chennai-Delhi-Frankfurt route from about 60 hours to 20 hours.

Naidu said the government aims to triple India’s air cargo volume by 2030 and develop the country into a global air cargo transshipment hub. He highlighted the benefits of faster cargo movement for farmers and exporters, particularly those dealing in perishable agricultural products. The government plans to further expand the network and introduce International-to-International and International-to-Domestic transshipment, strengthening India’s position as a competitive global aviation hub.

The achievement marks a broader philosophical shift in global travel: airports are no longer viewed simply as transit networks with gates, but as a traveler’s first intimate experience with a nation’s brand.

Delhi IGI: Competing at Global ScaleAs global airlines like Air India, IndiGo, Singapore Airlines, and Emirates funnel millions of international business leaders, diplomats, and tourists through the capital, Delhi Airport has balanced staggering traffic loads with an increasingly polished passenger experience.The Scale: Serving nearly 79 million passengers annually, placing it alongside some of the absolute busiest transit vectors on earth.

The Focus: Moving beyond infrastructure to emphasize transit comfort, cultural showcases (such as the terminal’s iconic Mudra hand gestures), and streamlined border handling.

The Strategic Takeaway

For India’s booming economy, Delhi Airport’s upward trajectory is a strong signal. As international travel accelerates, global airports are actively competing for a larger share of tourism revenue, high-value airline partnerships, and international transit spending.

By prioritizing passenger sentiment over just expanding terminal footprints, Delhi’s steady climb indicates that Indian aviation is evolving to treat infrastructure as the baseline, and the passenger experience as the true differentiator.

• Relocation of flights effective 26 October 2025
• Air India flights from Delhi T2 to be renumbered in four digits, prefixed with ‘1’ (AI1XXX)
• Inter-terminal transfers available between T1, T2, T3
• Free shuttle service between terminals every 10 minutes provided by DIAL

Bengaluru, 03 October 2025: Air India group today announced adjustments to its domestic operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport due to the ongoing expansion activities at Terminal 3 (T3) by Delhi International Airport Ltd. (DIAL) to augment international passenger capacity. The terminal enlargement works will reduce domestic capacity at T3, necessitating the relocation of certain domestic operations of Air India and Air India Express, effective 26 October 2025.

Air India will relocate 60 of its 180 daily domestic departures out of Delhi to the upgraded Terminal 2 (T2). Concurrently, Air India Express will move all its domestic operations to the newly renovated and upgraded Terminal 1 (T1).

All international flights of Air India and Air India Express will continue to operate from T3 Delhi Airport.

How one can identify Air India flights to/from T2

Air India’s domestic flights departing from or arriving at T2 have been renumbered in four digits, starting with ‘1’ (e.g., AI1737, AI1787). This clear distinction will help travellers to easily identify that their flight operates from/to T2.

Inter-terminal transfers for guests

Air India or Air India Express guests with connections, carrying boarding passes for their onward flights will be provided inter-terminal transfers between T1, T2, and T3. This service applies to connections between Air India flights, Air India Express flights, and on applicable codeshare connections.

Any through-checked baggage for these guests will be seamlessly transferred airside, eliminating the need to collect and recheck baggage during terminal transfers.

For all guests requiring transfers between T1, T2 and T3, Delhi International Airport provides a convenient shuttle service running every 10 minutes, ensuring quick and easy connectivity between the terminals. Passengers with Reduced Mobility (PRM) and those requiring special assistance can also opt for a comfortable buggy ride between T2 and T3. 

Augmented guest support during transition

To ensure a smooth experience, Air India and Air India Express will be proactively notifying all guests who hold bookings for flights relocating to T2 and T1 (for Air India Express guests), via their registered contact details.

Passengers making new Air India bookings on AI1XXX-series flights (departing from T2) will be clearly notified that their flight operates from T2. Guests booking Air India Express domestic flights for travel from/to Delhi will also receive notifications.

Passengers whose bookings continue to operate to/from T3 will receive a reminder to check their terminal if they have connecting flights. Additionally, all passengers checking in online for AI1XXX-series flights will receive an additional reminder that their flight departs from T2.

Air India is also deploying additional resources at both terminals to assist customers and help them to navigate between the terminals, if required. Some of the airline’s ground staff, available to assist passengers with information, terminal transfers, etc. will wear special t-shirts for ease of recognition by passengers.

Guidance for passengers 

All Air India and Air India Express guests are advised to update their contact details in their bookings with accurate information, to receive timely notifications. Guests are also advised to verify their flight details and terminal information prior to travel through the official websites of Air India and Air India Express, mobile apps, or the airlines’ 24×7 customer service channels.