IGI’s Terminal 2 to be kept operational

The terminal 2 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport which handles more than 7 million international passengers every year would be overshadowed by its big brother T3 when it comes up by March 2010 and would cater to 37 million domestic and international passengers.

However, the more than two decade-old T2 is counting its final days only to reborn as either a ‘private airport’ or become dedicated terminal for some big airlines for two more years.

Terminal 2 is being upgraded by private operator Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd. to take care of the ever-increasing international air traffic. Though the terminal was originally planned to be decommissioned after T3 starts operation, DIAL is having second thoughts now and is toying with different plans to keep T2 operational at least till 2012.

“Like the domestic departure and arrival terminals, we are upgrading T2 also but unlike the domestic terminal 1B, T2 is comparatively new and is being thoroughly upgraded with international standards. That is why we have decided to keep it operational even when T3 opens,” a DIAL spokesman said. “However, we haven’t yet decided how we are going to use it,” he added.

Sources, however, said the future plans for T2 includes a possibility of it being used as a 'private airport' for general aviation. General aviation refers to non-scheduled flights like private and charter aircraft. There is a long pending demand from corporate houses for private airports or separate terminals at busy airports like Delhi and Mumbai.

“It might be a good idea to use T2 for general aviation but there are two hindrances - it is far from the city compared to having a general aviation terminal at present domestic airport site and the two tier building would be too huge for such operation,” said a top airport official.

“However, the other plan is to make T2 a dedicated terminal for some big airlines till at least 2012,” he added.