It is a big relief for the passengers that DelhiIndira Gandhi International Airport’s Terminal 1 (T1) is set to resume operations from August 17. The terminal, which was abruptly closed on June 28 following the tragic roof collapse due to heavy rains, is now ready to welcome passengers once again.

The reopening of the airport is a significant milestone in the airport’s restoration process. The incident had caused widespread disruption, with flights being diverted to Terminals 2 and 3. However, extensive repair and reconstruction work has been carried out to restore the terminals to operational standards. According to reports, DIAL CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar said, “The state-of-the-art Terminal 1 will significantly increase our capacity, easing the pressure on Terminals 2 and 3.”

Phased reopening

To ensure a smooth transition, the resumption of operations will be implemented in phases. SpiceJet will be the first airline to operate from T1, with 13 flights departing from the terminal from August 17. IndiGo will follow suit, shifting its 34 flights from Terminals 2 and 3 to T1 from September 2.

Despite reopening, T1 will initially operate at about 25% of its pre-collapse capacity. The old T1 building from departure gates 1 to 4 has been kept closed and will remain inaccessible to passengers. “The debris has been removed from the site. A decision on its repair and opening will be taken after the expert committee report,” an airport official was quoted as saying by reports. However, airport officials have assured passengers of a comfortable and efficient travel experience. Part of the airport’s Phase 3A expansion project by DIAL, the renovated Terminal 1 is expected to offer a much-improved passenger experience. The new terminal has a larger capacity, modern amenities and better passenger handling facilities.

Airport officials have stressed that safety is their top priority. Rigorous safety checks and inspections have been carried out to ensure the structural integrity of the terminal. Additionally, emergency response systems have been upgraded to deal with any unforeseen circumstances.

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