Noida International Airport (NIA) in Jewar, Gautam Buddh Nagar, is preparing to begin commercial flight operations soon, providing a major boost to air connectivity in the National Capital Region (NCR). Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have confirmed that flights will start before the end of 2025.
Construction and Development
Construction began in 2019 and continued through the COVID-19 pandemic. The first phase features a single runway and a passenger terminal capable of handling 12 million passengers annually. Full development by 2050 envisions six runways and capacity for 70 million passengers per year, positioning NIA as India’s largest airport.
Operational Readiness
Phase 1 is nearing completion, with technical installations, finishing touches, and an Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) program underway. Validation flights conducted in December 2024 confirmed the readiness of navigational aids, approach procedures, and air traffic control systems. Regulatory clearance from the DGCA is the final step before commercial operations commence.
Passenger and Cargo Services
Launch carriers will include IndiGo for domestic flights and Akasa Air for domestic and international routes. Talks are ongoing with airlines from the Middle East and Southeast Asia to expand connectivity. NIA is also being developed as a cargo and MRO hub, with a multi-modal cargo terminal in partnership with Air India SATS nearing completion.
Strategic Location and Features
Located 75 km from Delhi along the Yamuna Expressway, NIA will enhance connectivity across NCR, Haryana, Rajasthan, and western Uttar Pradesh. The CAT-III compliant runway allows operations in low-visibility conditions, such as dense winter fog.
Economic and Employment Impact
Nearly 9,000 workers are currently on-site, with thousands more jobs expected as future phases roll out. The airport’s operations are expected to drive trade, tourism, and investment in Uttar Pradesh, transforming the region’s air connectivity landscape.
Developer and Partnership Model
NIA is being developed under a public-private partnership, with Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (a subsidiary of Zurich Airport International) as the concessionaire. The long-term vision is for NIA to become a comprehensive aviation hub for both passenger and cargo services.
