New facilities for passenger convenience introduced

State of the art baggage handling system, increased check-in, immigration and security clearance counters

New Delhi, July 1, 2008: Travellers at the International Terminal of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) can now look forward to improved facilities with the completion of the renovation and modernization works. Delhi International Airport (P) Limited (DIAL), the GMR led joint venture consortium tasked with the modernization of IGIA has carried out an extensive renovation programme to enhance the efficiency of the terminal and also improve its aesthetics and functionality.

In order to reduce congestion at The International Terminal, a number of steps have been taken.

Departing Passengers

The departure ramp on the city side has been widened to accommodate more vehicles. DIAL has deployed a large number of traffic marshals, free luggage porters and customer care executives on the city side, who guide passenger vehicles, help passengers with their luggage and guide them to their respective entry gates. The numbers of entry gates into the terminal have been increased from 4 to 8.

In the departure check-in area, an additional 2500m² space has been added to increase the number of check-in counters. The terminal now features 100 check-in counters, up from 78. These check-in counters will assist the airlines in processing passengers faster.

The modern 3 level in-line baggage handling system will eliminate the entire process of getting one’s luggage X-rayed before check-in. Passengers can now proceed directly to check-in counters upon entering the terminal, thus saving 10-15 minutes time. Airlines operating from IGI Airport International Terminal have shifted to the in-line baggage handling system.

The number of immigration counters in the departure area has now gone up from 28 to 52. This increase in counters and immigration officers will help them speed up the immigration process and reduce queues. Furthermore, the space allocated to the immigration area in the departure level has been increased by 800 m².

The security hold area has been expanded and additional seating has been provided. The number of security lanes has been increased to 22 from 10 which will reduce the queues for security clearance. Additional X-ray machines are also being provided for hand baggage inspection. The aerobridges for aircraft boarding have been renovated and have a pleasant look and feel.

For Arriving Passengers

For arriving passengers, immigration will be smooth with the addition of 10 new immigration counters, taking the number up to 38. Ten more immigration desks will be added in the coming weeks.

The baggage reclaim belts have been modernized and the length of 4 has been increased enabling processing of larger number of baggage per hour. Additionally, Customs Control is also being enhanced with the addition of more desks.

Other facilities at the terminal have also been upgraded. The rest room facilities for passengers have been enhanced and modernized. They have been fitted with modern contact free fittings and dedicated staff has been deployed for their maintenance and upkeep.

The terminal interiors and exteriors have undergone a major facelift, and it presents a whole new look and feel. New ergonomic seating systems have been installed, designed by Vitra – a Swiss firm counted amongst global leaders for seating systems design for public facilities.

Further, extensive facelift of the approach road to The International Terminal is been carried out, which begins from the airport approach roads up till the terminal and will involve improvement of roads & pathways, lighting, landscaping & signage works among others. The central verge of the roads is being planted with palm trees while the kerbsides will also be beautified through the use of eye pleasing plants. The same roads in the night will present a totally different vista through the use of diffused lighting. A new parking lot with space for 800 vehicles has also been commissioned for the convenience of passengers.

The modernization works on the Domestic Arrival Terminal (T1C) are progressing well. The terminal is being expanded and the number of baggage reclaim belts has increased from 5 to 6. Two more belts will be added in the coming weeks.

DIAL is working hard to improve facilities at IGI Airport for enhanced passenger convenience, working under constraints placed by building sizes, available infrastructure and a desire to minimise inconvenience to passengers.

About DIAL : Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd (DIAL) is a joint venture company; comprising the Bangalore headquartered global Infrastructure major GMR Group with a significant pan-India and International presence, Airports Authority of India, Fraport, Malaysian Airport and India Development Fund. DIAL is working towards the modernization and restructuring of the Delhi Airport. The project being developed by DIAL under Public Private Partnership has been given the mandate to finance, design, build, operate and maintain the Delhi Airport for 30 years with an option to extend it by another 30 years.