Delhi is getting its first air train: Details here
In what would come as a good news for fliers using Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), the bustling airport is likely to get an 'air train' by 2022. Basically, it will be a special metro train, connecting the three terminals of the airport. The service will help passengers commute seamlessly across terminals. Currently, passengers move across terminals using shuttle bus service. Here's more.
Delhi Airport's current expansion phase to be over by 2022
The launch of an air train is being contemplated as the Delhi Airport is expected to get bigger and busier by the time the current phase of expansion is over, i.e by 2022. Further, the annual passenger handling capacity of the airport is likely to reach 10 crore after the said expansion, thus an air train shall help manage the growing crowd.
Air train is an established concept, abroad
Notably, the concept of inter-terminal commute at airports is an established one, abroad. In fact, many major airports across the world such as Heathrow Airport (London), JFK Airport (New York), Zurich Airport, and Hong Kong International Airport already offer free-to-use inter-terminal metro train services.
Delhi Airport to become first in India with four runways
Notably, authorities had announced that the Delhi International Airport Ltd. (DIAL) would carry out integration of the Departure and Arrival sections of T1, construction of new T1 Apron, a fourth runway, and dual elevated Eastern Cross Taxiways (ECT), among other new services. "After the expansion, Delhi Airport would become the first airport in India to have four runways," the authorities had said.
Delhi Airport already 12th busiest in the world
Earlier, in March, IGI Airport moved up 4 places to become the 12th busiest airport in the world. According to the traffic rankings released by the Airports Council International (ACI), it took over major airports like Frankfurt, Dallas Fort Worth, Guangzhou and Istanbul Ataturk airports.
