NEW DELHI, Feb 25: The new arrival building at Terminal 1 of the IGIA (Indira Gandhi International Airport) began operations on Thursday morning. The new state-of-the-art terminal handles domestic arrivals. The IGI Airport has three terminals - T1, T2 and T3. T3 handles international flights.

A few designated domestic Spicejet and Indigo flights (other than Indigo 5000 -5999 at T3 and 2000-2999 at T2 and Spicejet 8000-8999 at T3) arrive at the new arrival building at T1.

The IGIA is built, maintained and run by the Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), a GMR Infrastructure-led consortium. The new Terminal 1 was built as part of the airport’s ongoing phase 3A expansion project.

The entire arrival operations of T1 (IndiGo and SpiceJet) shifted from the existing facility to the new one, while Departure operations will continue from the existing terminal. Currently, IndiGo and SpiceJet operate flights from T1. The existing arrival terminal T1C will be demolished.

"We are ready to welcome you with a new and enhanced arrival experience, w.e.f 24th Feb 0001 hrs, few designated domestic @flyspicejet & @IndiGo6E flights will arrive at Terminal-1, New Arrival Building. #DelhiAirport #Terminal1," DIAL earlier posted on its official Twitter page.

The first arrival was of IndiGo flight (6E 6532) from Goa at 3.20 am on 24 February.

Three additional lanes ease traffic

On the city side, the pickup lanes outside the arrival terminal have been realigned and widened with three additional lanes, taking the total number of lanes to 11, the airport operator said. It will ease traffic congestion.

The new Arrival Terminal has been built as green building, keeping globally renowned LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building standards in mind. As part of it, DIAL has used daylight concept in the terminal building, which will reduce electricity consumption, as there will be ample natural light during the day. In addition, lighting fixtures and equipment like HVAC and baggage belts are energy efficient and thus consume less power.

“T1 at Delhi airport will now offer a distinctive experience to arriving passengers and also to those coming in to meet and greet the arriving passengers. The terminal includes contemporary zones for comfort and leisure, eco-friendly features like maximum use of daylight concept and offers an astute combination of green buildings and superior operational processes delivering enhanced passenger experience,” said CEO, DIAL, Videh Kumar Jaipuriar.

The new terminal spans an 8,000 square metre new arrival hall, which is equipped with four new baggage reclaim carousels. "On the city side, the pickup lanes outside the Arrival terminal have been realigned and expanded to three additional lanes, taking the total number of lanes to 11. This will ease traffic congestion.

With the reopening of Terminal 1, all the terminals of Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport are now fully operational.

Terminal 1 at the IGI Airport was originally part of Palam airport. Since the addition of the other terminals at the facility, the airport changed its name to Indira Gandhi International Airport. Terminal 1 had consisted of several buildings for both Arrivals and Departures - T1C and T1D.