Delhi International Airport Will Soon Have the Biggest Mall Of India At Aerocity

Latest reports reveal that by 2027, Indira Gandhi International Airport’s Aerocity will introduce the Biggest Mall of India, covering 2.8 million square feet. This is part of the $2.5 billion Worldmark Aerocity expansion, aiming to develop India’s first aerotropolis—a city centred around an airport.

Currently, Aerocity has 1.5 million square feet of leasable space, with plans to expand to over 10 million square feet by 2029. According to the reports, the global business district within Aerocity will add 6.5 million square feet, reaching 18 million square feet of leasable space. India’s biggest mall at Aerocity will include offices, shops, food courts, a large mall, and public areas.GMR-backed Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) chose Bharti Realty to develop India’s biggest mall at Aerocity. Bharti Realty holds the lease for Aerocity, aligning with DIAL’s lease for airport operations, while the state retains ownership.

Bharti Realty’s Plan for Phase 2 and 3 Expansion

SK Sayal, Managing Director and CEO of Bharti Realty explained the plans for Aerocity’s expansion in phases 2 and 3. These phases will need a $2.5 billion investment, funded by both debt and equity.

Phase 2 will introduce Worldmark 4, 5, 6, and 7, offering 3.5 million square feet of leasable space. It will also include the Biggest Mall of India, covering 2.8 million square feet, which is three times larger than the current malls in Vasant Kunj. Phase 2 is expected to start next year and finish by March 2027.

Reports further indicate that there will be parking space for over 8,000 cars underground. Currently, Aerocity has 5,000 hotel rooms spread across 11 hotels, including popular brands like JW Marriott, Accor Group, and Roseate. Once Phase 2 is completed, the number of rooms will increase to 7,000 in 16 hotels. Prestigious brands such as St. Regis and JW Marriott Marquis will be added between the Aerocity metro station and the current hotel area.

In Phase 1, major companies like Airbus, EY, IMF, KPMG, Emirates, and Pernod Ricard moved in. Additionally, Brookfield, a major investment management firm, bought a 51% share in Bharti’s four commercial properties, including Aerocity Worldmark Phase 1, for Rs 5,000 crore, two years ago.

When India’s Biggest Mall at Aerocity and overall construction is completed, it is expected to become home to 2 million professionals and attract at least 30 million visitors each year. This increase in activity might help IGI Airport handle over 100 million passengers annually, leading to the replacement of Terminal 2 (T2) with a much larger Terminal 4 (T4).

To support this development of the Biggest Mall of India, Delhi International Airport Ltd (DAIL) is creating India’s first interstate multi-modal transport hub near the Aerocity metro station. This hub will likely include an interstate bus terminal, a new Delhi Metro line from Phase 4, and a station for the Rapid Rail Transit System, along with a station for an automated passenger mover, or air train.

After the complete discussion on the Biggest Mall of India, DIAL and the Union Aviation Ministry are discussing the best number of stops for the proposed air train that will connect Terminal 1 with Terminals 3 and 2 (or T4, if it replaces T2). The airport operator prefers to have two air train stations in Aerocity, but the ministry prefers fewer stops to ensure quicker transfers between terminals.