Terminal T1 hosts 2 airlines across 1 gates. You'll find 4 shops here.
T1 handles every flight, every check-in, every gate at AJL
Lengpui’s Passenger Terminal is a single-story T1 setup where Alliance Air and IndiGo share the same compact hall, one check-in zone, and one gate. All domestic flights in and out of Aizawl move through this space, so there is no “wrong terminal” risk. Walking from the front door, past check-in, through security, and into the departures area usually takes under 10 minutes once queues start moving.
Check-in, timing, and security rhythm
Because ground handling is shared and flight counts are low, locals often arrive 60–75 minutes before departure for IndiGo and Alliance Air services. The terminal typically opens in sync with the first departure of the day rather than running 24/7, so turning up two to three hours early can mean standing outside with your bags. Security is just beyond the check-in counters in the same hall, and with only one gate, queues are straightforward but can feel slow if two flights bunch up.
Layout: one hall, one gate, short walks
The building is compact enough that you can see the tabletop runway hills through the glass from the departures seating area. Incoming passengers off the DEL–AJL IndiGo flight walk a short distance from the aircraft steps into arrivals, then straight to a small baggage claim with a single belt described by one reviewer as “ancient.” There are trolleys on the floor, but reviews flag them as worn and dated compared with big-city Indian airports.
Food, drinks, and the lack of real options
Inside T1 there is effectively one functional food/retail point airside, mentioned repeatedly in reviews as the only place for a snack or drink once you clear security. Prices run higher than in Aizawl town and choice is thin, especially on days with delays when shelves get picked over. Regulars eat along the 60–90 minute drive from Aizawl or at home, then treat the terminal as a quick stop rather than a meal break.
Shops: basic retail and last-minute buys
For shopping, expect a Duty Free Shop, a small Fashion Boutique, an Electronics Store, and a Souvenir Shop in or around the main hall. Stock skews to basic electronics accessories, simple clothing items, and Mizoram souvenirs rather than deep brand lines. Card machines can be temperamental, so carrying some cash rupees for a quick charger or keychain is still useful in T1.
Arrivals, baggage, and ground feel
On arrival, passengers funnel into a single baggage claim where one belt handles all bags for the terminal’s flights. A Flightradar24 reviewer calls the equipment “ancient,” including the trolleys and conveyor system, and it can look tired next to newer Indian airports opened in the 2010s. Plan for a short wait at the belt, factor in the 60–90 minute drive into Aizawl, and keep any onward ground bookings flexible by at least 30 minutes.
What regulars do and one tip
Frequent flyers on the IndiGo and Alliance Air routes time their arrival close to the published departure, often aiming for that 60–75 minute window, then head straight through security because there is little reason to linger airside. They bring their own snacks, a full water bottle to fill after screening if available, and offline entertainment for delays. Copy that strategy: eat before the drive, arrive about an hour early, and treat T1 as a quick pass-through, not a place to kill half a day.