Delhi Airport's upgraded Terminal 2 to reopen on October 26 with new tech

Delhi Airport's refurbished T2 will resume operations on October 26 with 120 daily flights of Air India and IndiGo, featuring self-baggage drop and India's first autonomous aerobridges

Delhi Airport’s Terminal 2, which was closed in April this year for a comprehensive upgrade so that it was “future ready” to handle the soaring rush, will reopen on October 26 with a host of new features, including self-service baggage drop and six passenger boarding bridges equipped with autonomous docking, a first for India. The opening coincides with the start of the aviation winter schedule.

 

About 120 daily domestic flights of Air India and IndiGo will shift operations to the refurbished terminal from the intervening night of October 25–26, operator Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) said on Monday.

 

In aviation, the winter schedule runs from the last Sunday of October until the last Saturday of March, while the summer schedule extends from the last Sunday of March to the last Saturday of October.

   

The terminal, built four decades ago by the Airports Authority of India, was closed in April after Terminal 1 became fully operational. DIAL said the upgrade work was aimed at making T2 “future-ready” to handle surging passenger traffic.

 

“Terminal 2 is not just a facility upgrade-- it’s a complete reimagination of the passenger journey,” said Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO of DIAL. Delhi Airport has three terminals.

 

He added that with technologies like the Self Baggage Drop and autonomous docking aerobridges, “we are empowering travellers, optimising efficiency, and preparing the Delhi Airport for the future of aviation.”

 

Among the new features is a self-service baggage drop, which allows passengers to scan their boarding pass, tag their luggage, and place it directly on the belt-- cutting down waiting time at check-in counters.

 

The airport has also introduced six passenger boarding bridges equipped with autonomous docking, a first for India. According to DIAL, these will make aircraft turnaround faster and safer, while also offering wheelchair-friendly access and improved safety measures for staff.

 

The autonomous docking system on the new passenger boarding bridges uses sensors and laser guidance to automatically align the bridge with the aircraft door once the plane parks. Traditionally, operators manually drive and position the bridge, which takes longer and carries a risk of misalignment. With the automated system, the docking process becomes quicker, safer, and more consistent, reducing turnaround times for airlines and ensuring smoother boarding for passengers.

 

The Delhi airport is India’s busiest. Its total annual passenger capacity stands at approximately 109 million.

  

The refurbished terminal also includes upgraded air-conditioning and fire-safety systems, a new high-resolution flight information display, redesigned signage for better accessibility, improved road connectivity, and overhauled apron areas that have been in use for over 40 years.