Major Delhi Airport Shift: Air India Splits Domestic Operations Between T1 & T2 as T3 Prioritizes International Traffic

The Air India group is initiating a major operational shuffle at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi. In a strategic move necessitated by the ongoing expansion of the flagship Terminal 3 (T3)—aimed at significantly boosting its international capacity—the airline group will be relocating a substantial portion of its domestic flights to the airport's other two terminals.

The changes will take effect from October 26, 2025, aligning with the winter travel schedule. This adjustment, announced by Air India, is designed to manage the reduced domestic capacity at T3 as the terminal focuses on expanding its role as India’s primary international gateway.

The New Terminal Breakdown

Air India group airlines—which currently operate entirely from T3 for both domestic and international flights—will now be spread across all three terminals for domestic departures:

• Air India (AI): The national carrier will relocate 60 of its 180 daily domestic departures out of Delhi to the newly upgraded Terminal 2 (T2). All other domestic flights will continue to operate from T3.

• Air India Express (AIX): The low-cost subsidiary will move all its domestic operations to the newly renovated Terminal 1 (T1).

• International Flights: All international flights for both Air India and Air India Express will continue to operate exclusively from Terminal 3 (T3).

Why the Shuffle? Expanding the International Gateway

The primary driver for this major operational adjustment is the ongoing expansion of T3. T3 is currently the only terminal at Delhi Airport that handles international flights, and with international passenger traffic on a steady rise, the Delhi International Airport Ltd. (DIAL) is converting one of T3’s domestic piers into an international one.

This conversion, while essential for increasing T3’s international handling capacity to meet projected growth for the next few years, will inevitably reduce the terminal's capacity for domestic operations, making the relocation necessary.

Guidance for Passengers: Check Your Terminal

To ensure a smooth transition for the thousands of passengers affected daily, Air India is implementing several measures:

1. Flight Renumbering: Air India domestic flights operating from T2 will be renumbered into a four-digit series prefixed with ‘1’ (e.g., AI1737, AI1787). This clear distinction will help travelers easily identify that their flight departs from T2.

2. Proactive Notification: Air India and Air India Express will proactively notify all passengers with existing bookings for the relocated flights via their registered contact details (email and phone).

3. Seamless Transfers: For passengers with connecting flights (including between Air India, Air India Express, and codeshare partners) who have through-checked baggage, the airlines will provide seamless airside baggage transfer, eliminating the need to collect and re-check bags between terminals.

4. Terminal Connectivity: For all other passengers requiring transfers between T1, T2, and T3, the airport will operate a free shuttle service running every 10 minutes. Buggy rides will also be available between T2 and T3 for passengers with reduced mobility. Taza News advises all travelers to update their contact details and check their terminal information via the official airline websites or apps before heading to the airport.

This large-scale terminal reshuffle marks a significant phase in Delhi Airport’s growth, temporarily redirecting domestic traffic to prioritize the expansion of international capacity at T3, setting the stage for India to become a major global aviation hub.