DIAL plans to shift IndiGo or SpiceJet to T3

“Among the two,we would prefer IndiGo because it has all jet operations through Airbus 320s and can be serviced through aerobridges. Spicejet,on the other hand,operates Bombadier Q400s and these planes cannot be serviced through aerobridges,” said a GMR official.

He added that they are not considering shifting GoAir,as it is a small carrier and shifting it will not free much space in the terminal. The airlines had,earlier,resisted the move citing high charges at T3 and more turnaround time as compared to T1D. However,charges at T1D was made on par with T3 a year ago.

“The airlines must have realised by now that the use of aerobridge does not impact turnaround time and neither is T3 more expensive,” said the GMR official. He said,“Both SpiceJet and IndiGo are in an expansion mode and can easily transfer their buses and ramp to other airports in the country.” IndiGo is the largest domestic passenger carrier in the country,with over 27 per cent market and SpiceJet is at the fourth spot with over 19 per cent market share. T3,with a 34 million passenger capacity,handles around 25 million passengers annually.

Delhi airport,which had serviced 36 million passengers in 2011-12,is likely to see a decline of around 6 per cent in the passengers using their airport in the current fiscal.