New Delhi: Ahead of the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, pier C at IGI Airport’s Terminal 3, which has been repurposed from domestic to international operations, will be progressively operationalised from Wednesday night. Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the airport operator, is augmenting international passenger-handling capacity at T3 to cater to the expected rise in international air traffic.Pier C will facilitate international traffic, with both international arrivals and departures planned to be handled from Thursday evening. “The phased operationalisation will provide additional flexibility and capacity to manage the expected increase in international movements during the summit period,” DIAL said.Once fully operational, annual capacity for international passengers at Indira Gandhi International Airport will increase by 50% to 31 million passengers per annum. “The move is part of DIAL’s comprehensive preparedness plan, undertaken in close coordination with CISF, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, airlines, ground-handling agencies, immigration, customs and other key airport stakeholders, to ensure seamless and secure airport operations during the high-profile international event,” DIAL said.The summit, being hosted from Sept 11 to 13, is expected to bring together leaders and senior delegations from BRICS member and partner countries, along with heads of international organisations and business representatives.DIAL CEO Pradeep Panicker said the airport was fully geared up to welcome leaders, dignitaries and international delegations. “We have undertaken comprehensive preparedness measures… to efficiently manage the anticipated increase in international traffic while maintaining the highest standards of safety, security and passenger experience.”In April, DIAL said pier C had been repurposed without new construction. “The conversion enhances the ability of T3 to accommodate next-generation and wide-body aircraft,” it had said.
