Fly abroad from T1D starting August-end

SpiceJet had launched its first international flight from Terminal 3 to Nepal in October last year; it will now shift to T1D.

Airport officials said international operations at T1D would start with four flights,and will increase to 14 flights by December. Both Indigo and SpiceJet already have the requisite permissions to fly to international destinations.

“Taking international operations of the low-cost airlines to T3 would only escalate costs for passengers as parking bays are very expensive. It only makes sense that the international flights of these airlines land at the domestic bays,which would keep costs under

control. That’s the reason why SpiceJet would also shift to Terminal 1D,” an official said.

A few officials,however,feel T1D may not be able handle both international and domestic operations.

“At present,the facilities provided in various parts of the terminal are accessible to all passengers. The terminal would have to be partitioned into two with the launch of international operations,making facilities inaccessible to passengers on either side,” said a senior airport official.

The terminal will also require counters for Immigration and Customs. A senior Customs official said no final decision has been taken yet,but “at least 10 officers and one assistant commissioner in each shift would have to be commissioned for international operations through T1D”.

A spokesperson for airport operator DIAL said: “DIAL is considering various options and will make a formal announcement soon.”