A GMR-led consortium has announced an ambitious expansion plan for the Delhi Airport which includes the opening of an integrated terminal building and construction of a 4.4km runway which will be ready by 2008. The runway will be capable of handling an A380 Airbus. While unveiling the Master Plan for the airport, GMR said that the new terminal, which would be made operational by 2010 as part of phase one of modernisation, would augment the airport’s passenger handling capacity- from the present 16.24 million per annum to 37 million per annum. The expansion plan also includes the opening of a multi-level parking facility, links to metro station and car parking, new hangers, power station and improving general aviation facilities. The new terminal building will have more than 130 check-in counters, nearly 40 X-ray scanners, 74 immigration desks, 55 contact stands (aerobridges) and 30 remote parking bays. Six of the aerobridges will be compatible for Airbus A380. The runway will be equipped with CAT 111B International Landing System. The existing international terminal will also be modernised and upgraded by 2008. The airport will also be connected to the city with a dedicated metro railway line, which will be partly funded by DIAL, GMR officials said.
