New Delhi: Airside transfers between Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 3 (T3) at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport are set to commence once final approval is granted by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). This service will allow passengers to switch between domestic and international flights without exiting to the city side.
Electric Buses for Transfers
Once operational, electric buses with a capped speed of 20 km per hour will facilitate the transfer, taking approximately 20 minutes on average. Currently, passengers rely on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses that travel via city roads, often facing traffic congestion. The new airside route will pass through restricted airport areas, including runways, taxiways, and the tarmac.
Approval and Implementation
An official stated that a committee comprising officials from the CISF, Customs, and other stakeholders approved the project over a month ago. After receiving final permission from BCAS, implementation will take about 1.5 months. The project will be executed by CISF and Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the airport operator. The procurement process for the electric buses has already begun.
Passenger Process
The electric buses will be equipped with luggage provisions. For example, a passenger arriving at Terminal 1 from Mumbai and needing to catch a flight from Terminal 3 will proceed to the departure area of T1, then to the bus gate area, and be dropped at T3. They will undergo security checks again for their onward journey. To use the service, passengers must present their boarding pass and identity card.
Initially, only passengers with the same PNR number for their continuous journey will be eligible for the airside transfer service.
Master Plan for Delhi Airport
An official also mentioned that Delhi airport's next 20-year master plan is expected to be finalized within two to two-and-a-half months. The plan will be based on infrastructure development, airline data, and other relevant aspects.
About the Author: Priyangi Agarwal writes on environmental and climate change issues, connecting these topics to everyday lives. She tracks developments across Delhi's transport hubs—Delhi Metro, Namo Bharat Trains, and Delhi Airport—while reporting on pressing social issues. Her stories blend data analysis with ground voices to tell human-centered narratives. Previously stationed in western Uttar Pradesh, she focused on minority issues, health, and human rights.
