Delhi Airport Expansion: DIAL to Finalise 20-Year Master Plan

Delhi International Airport (DIAL) is expected to finalise a new 20-year master plan for Indira Gandhi International Airport within the next two to two-and-a-half months, setting the roadmap for its long-term expansion and development.

The plan will outline infrastructure requirements, projected passenger demand, and evolving dynamics in the aviation sector. According to DIAL officials, it is being prepared after extensive consultations with stakeholders and airport users, and will introduce significant revisions compared to the previous master plan finalised in 2016. The updated strategy will also factor in key industry changes, including the exit of airlines such as Jet Airways and Go First, along with shifting market and operational conditions.

As per regulatory requirements, airport operators must submit a master plan every ten years, and the revised document will be submitted to the civil aviation ministry upon completion.

As India’s busiest airport, Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) handles over 1,300 aircraft movements daily. In FY2025–26, it recorded 78.7 million passengers, including 57.2 million domestic and 21.5 million international travellers, highlighting its central role in the country’s aviation network.