Delhi Airport Set to Resume Flight Operations From T1

• Operations at T1 to resume on October 31 with IndiGo & Spice Jet
• Passengers are encouraged to use the e-boarding scanners for entry to Security and frisking entry points
• Stringent cleanliness protocol and social distancing measures are in place

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), led by GMR Group, today announced that the operations at Terminal 1 will resume with effect from October 31 at 0001 hours. The terminal is all set to provide a safe and healthy environment to passengers flying in and out of Delhi Airport.

After almost 18 months of closure, the operations at Terminal 1 will resume with pre-COVID operators, i.e. IndiGo and Spice Jet. The first flight scheduled from T1 after its reopening would be an Indigo flight which will depart for Mumbai at 0105 hours.

DIAL has taken several safety measures with all key stakeholders to contain the spread of COVID-19, as directed by the Government of India. 

“Delhi Airport is all set to reopen for domestic flight operations at T1 after nearly 18 months of shutdown. With the resumption of the third terminal, Delhi Airport will be functional completely. We would like to assure passengers that at Delhi airport, they would be in a safe and healthy environment. We have implemented several measures at the airport to ensure passenger safety without compromising their comfort and experience. Our teams have worked round-the-clock to sanitize the vast terminal. DIAL will continue its awareness drive by educating and encouraging passengers to maintain social distance while at the airport,” said Mr. Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO-DIAL.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all corners of the aviation industry, and airports have not been spared from the crisis. Commercial operations of domestic and international flights were suspended from March 24, 2020 in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus pandemic in the country.

The development has come after a successful resumption of Terminal 3 and Terminal 2 that began operations in a calibrated manner from May 25, 2020 and July 22, 2021 onwards, respectively.

Arrangements at Terminal 1 For the entry into the airport

• 6 CUSS kiosks will be available for passengers for web check-in before entering the terminal i.e. in the Departure Forecourt
• Arrangements have been made for thermal scanning of passengers as per Government guidelines 

At the Check-in 

• To avoid close contact and crowding at the counters, passengers are encouraged to use the e-boarding scanners for entry to Security and frisking entry points

At the Security check 

• Alignment of queues to ensure social distance among CISF personnel and passengers
• Deployment of queue managers, floor markings and allocation of alternate seats, installation of automatic hand sanitiser at various places
• Tray disinfection SOP for passengers’ safety will be maintained 
• Auto dispensing sanitiser machines have been kept for passengers to use after security checks
• Contact-less Retail and F&B Options
• After security checks, passengers will move to SHA, where they can access food carts and retail shops. Social distance markings have been put in shops, lifts, seats etc
• Strict & stringent SOP would be maintained for Food and Beverage (F&B) shops and retail shops to ensure safety and hygiene

At the boarding gate

• Passengers are requested not to use seats with cross marks to ensure social distance
• Queue managers deployed at boarding & bussing gates will continuously monitor precautionary measures
• DIAL will encourage all passengers to wear masks and maintain social distance at all times, to ensure their safety and well-being

Sanitization of high contact surfaces

• Deep cleaning of the vast Terminal 1 is being carried out 24*7. A team of housekeeping personnel have been deployed to ensure a clean and sanitized terminal for passengers round the clock. The staff will be thermally screened and checked for symptoms before going on with their duties.
• Regular sanitization of high contact surfaces, such as desks, chairs, elevators, railings, CUSS, trolleys, handles, trays, baggage belts, etc. inside the terminals would be carried out. Apart from these, washrooms will be closed after every hour to sanitize all its surfaces. 
• Apart from these, DIAL will also have facilities to isolate suspected COVID-19 passengers at the airport following government direction