NEW DELHI: Soon there will be more than one reason for people to spend the night at Delhi airport. With Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) inviting investors to build hotels at the airport in its new avatar, Indira Gandhi International Airport here is on its way for a makeover.

"The entire concept of what an airport is will undergo a change. These hotels will also have convention facilities so that business travellers who come in for a conference don't need to waste time commuting,'' says a senior DIAL official.

The hotels will cater to different categories of travellers, but will probably target people who are on a short visit to the city.

From transit passengers spending a night at the airport to those who missed their connections, these hotels will make the airport a little more comfortable.

"The airport is strategically located between the National Capital Region and Delhi. This is really prime property. There will be a high-speed Metro railway connection from the airport and with a slated 20 per cent increase in air traffic, there will be plenty of big names in the hospitality industry who will be willing to invest,'' say senior officials. DIAL officials claim that the hotels will be operational in time for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

"The tourist traffic growth in NCR will take a further jump upwards with the Commonwealth Games. The Games will also require the city to have more rooms. Under the Operation, Management and Development Agreement signed by the Government, DIAL can commercially develop 5 per cent of the land for facilities required by passengers.

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