Delhi‘s Indira Gandhi International Airport is set to construct an advanced 7.3-kilometer driverless Automated Passenger Mover system to enable seamless inter-terminal transit. Under a comprehensive ₹3,500 crore infrastructure plan unveiled by Delhi International Airport Limited, the driverless air train network will operationalize by 2030 to link Terminals 1, 2, and 3 along with Aerocity, the cargo hub, and local metro lines. Transport authorities intend for this project to handle heavy transit demands while reducing landside traffic congestion around primary terminal gates.
The proposed driverless train system spans six strategically placed stations and cuts transfer times between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 down to roughly 13 minutes. Currently, layover travelers transferring between T1 and T3 must navigate public roads via shuttle buses or taxis. Running on 10-minute frequencies across elevated and ground tracks, the APM provides a dedicated, direct connection that bypasses city traffic gridlock completely.
What Daily Capacity Will Driverless APM Support In Delhi?
Airport officials project that the Automated Passenger Mover (APM) will service over 55,000 passengers daily during its initial year of commercial operation. The APM forms a vital cornerstone of DIAL’s 10-year master plan to expand the airport’s annual passenger processing capacity from 106 million to 125 million travelers. This expansion incorporates additional aircraft stands, modernized check-in areas, and a brand-new Pier E structure at Terminal 3 scheduled for completion by April 2030.
Delhi International Airport Limited confirmed that the Automated Passenger Mover will operate as a convenient transit service for air travelers. While ticketed flyers will enjoy integrated terminal connectivity, airport authorities are still reviewing whether non-flying visitors or non-passengers using the Aerocity and metro links will incur nominal fare charges. Official guidelines on non-passenger ticketing structures will be finalized closer to the system’s operational launch date.
