Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
History, Facts and Overview

(Delhi, India)

Previously named the Palam Airport, the Indira Gandhi Airport of today links the city with the rest of the world. Many significant changes have taken place here over the past few decades, including the construction of a new international passenger building (Terminal 2) in the spring of 1986. Recently the two terminals have enjoyed major renovation works and a third terminal is currently under construction and will initially handle both international and domestic travellers.

In total, Terminal 3 will boast 130 check-in desks, some 55 air bridges and state-of-the-art security equipment. The first phase in due to be completed in 2010 and future plans include a further two terminals, raising annual passenger capacity to a staggering 100 million and the total number of check-in desks to 500.


Delhi's airport is officially known as the Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), being named after India's only ever female prime minister, Indira Gandhi (1917-1984).

Essential airport facilities include banks, ICICI Bank cashpoints and bureaux de change, providing easy ways to obtain your Indian Rupee (INR). Also onsite at the Delhi Indira Gandhi is a postal service, credit-card operated Internet kiosks, a luggage wrapping service, and a Transit Lounge in Terminal 2, which is home to a selection of speciality shops. Snack bars and restaurants can be found within both the arrivals and departures areas and often specialise in a range of tasty Indian dishes, although more Western-style food is also available.