Even as the Adani-owned Navi Mumbai International Airport begins commercial operations today, the Noida International Airport in Jewar continues to be behind schedule, with flights now expected only in 2026.
The airport, which is slated to be the second international gateway in the National Capital Region after the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, is yet to obtain an airport license from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the mandatory security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs for its foreign CEO, according to recent media reports.
Both approvals are required before commercial operations begin. In aviation terms, an airport is any place where aircraft take off, land and move.
The project has already missed four announced deadlines. Built on a 1,334-hectare site in Jewar, about 90 km from Delhi’s IGI Airport, it was originally scheduled for completion in September 2024 before being pushed back to April and June 2025, followed by several unofficial revisions.
Missed timelines
The latest official date was announced in September when Kinjarapu Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the airport would be inaugurated on October 30 and commercial operations would begin within 45 days.
Since then, officials said the focus has shifted to ensuring full operational readiness by the end of 2025.
“We are currently working on another major milestone, which is the issuance of an airport license by DGCA – the civil aviation regulator. After this key assumption, the commencement of commercial operations will be planned in coordination with airlines and partners,” Christoph Schnellmann, CEO, Noida International Airport, told Mint. Schnellmann is a Swiss national.
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An airport license is a security clearance issued by the DGCA that certifies that an airport’s infrastructure, systems and procedures meet regulatory standards for the operation of commercial aircraft.
Separately, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (BCAS) highlighted during a recent review meeting the absence of a security clearance for the airport’s CEO – a prerequisite for a greenfield airport.
The Noida International Airport (NIA) said in a statement that it is making steady progress towards operational readiness.
“We are working closely with DGCA and BCAS on the final stages of airport licensing and security clearance. Safety and security remain non-negotiable priorities for us. Our teams are fully engaged in ensuring that all regulatory and operational requirements are met in accordance with the prescribed national standards,” a Mint spokesperson said.
The airport has already completed several operational checks, including integrated terminal tests and navigation equipment calibration flights conducted on 30 October and 3 November.
Noida International Airport is being developed and operated by Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL), a subsidiary of Zurich Airport International, under a public-private partnership with the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
Phase 1 ₹The $6.5 billion project is designed to handle 12 million passengers annually, with the airport targeting six million passengers in its first full year of operation.
Pricing strategy
Schnellmann said the fares at Noida International Airport are comparable to those at similar airports in the country.
“Our fares reflect the value we provide – modern infrastructure, efficient operations, strong regional connectivity and a high-quality passenger experience,” he said, adding that the revenue model is built on a balanced mix of aeronautical and non-aeronautical flows to ensure long-term sustainability.
The airport plans to offer airlines “adequate night parking, peak slot availability and open access fuel infrastructure to enable cost-effective ATF supply”.
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“Our goal is simple: to offer fair and competitive fares while providing a world-class airport that benefits passengers, airlines and the region,” Schnellmann said.
Prompt in connection area
A Dec. 19 note from JM Financial said the airport could offer operational benefits such as overnight aircraft parking, peak slot availability and “mixed rotary gates” that allow aircraft arriving from domestic destinations to depart internationally from the same gate, improving handling efficiency.
However, the broker identified connectivity as a short-term challenge. The planned Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) projects and highway links could help solve this problem, the company said.
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“In prospect, metro and RRTS connectivity is being planned by the relevant state and central authorities. These links remain an important part of the long-term vision of multimodal connectivity and we are working closely with the government to support their progress,” Schnellmann said.
“These projects are supported by relevant government agencies. Their timelines will evolve as these agencies go through planning, approval and implementation,” he added.
