Noida/Lucknow: Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu has announced that the Noida International Airport (NIA), being built in Jewar, Gautam Buddh Nagar, will be inaugurated on October 30, with flight operations expected to begin within 45 days thereafter.
Speaking at an event held at Hindon Airport in Ghaziabad, Naidu confirmed that the airport is in the final stages of readiness and is being closely monitored by the Ministry.
“We are trying for an early inauguration so that we can see it happen very soon. Right now, the date that we have decided is October 30, when we will have the inauguration, and within 45 days, we can see the operations also start,” said Naidu.
India’s Largest Airport Project in NCR
The greenfield airport, being developed under the PPP model, is spread over 1,300 hectares for its first phase and is located approximately 75 km from Delhi. It will become the second international airport in the National Capital Region (NCR) after Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.
According to officials, the first phase will include:
- One terminal building
- One runway
- Capacity to handle 12 million passengers annually
The complete airport project is planned over 5,000 hectares, with:
- At least two runways
- A projected annual passenger capacity of 70 million
The project is being developed by Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG.
Strong Interest from Airlines; Focus on Cargo Operations
Minister Naidu emphasized the strategic and commercial significance of the airport:
“Airlines are very excited to operate from Jewar Airport. Discussions indicate that at least 10 Indian cities will be connected in the first phase,” he said.
“The airport will also play a major role in cargo operations, boosting regional trade and logistics.”
UP CM Yogi Adityanath Confirms Year-End Launch
Meanwhile, speaking at a press conference in Lucknow, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to launching the Noida International Airport by the end of 2025.
“In 2017, UP had only two fully operational airports. Today, we have 16 fully functional airports, with the Noida International Airport set to become India’s largest by the end of this year,” CM Yogi stated.
He also highlighted the state’s infrastructure transformation:
- 7 expressways completed, 6 more underway
- Metro connectivity expanded to 6 cities
- Major investment in logistics and civil aviation
Regulatory Approvals in Final Stage
The Noida International Airport has already submitted its application for an aerodrome license. Officials confirmed that they are working with aviation and security regulators to complete the necessary clearances before operations begin.
The project aims to decongest IGI Airport in Delhi and provide world-class infrastructure to cater to the growing demand in northern India.
