Noida airport to begin commercial flights after Diwali

New Delhi: Commercial flight operations from the upcoming Noida International Airport at Jewar are expected to commence after Diwali, offering improved air connectivity for travelers in the National Capital Region.

The airport will be inaugurated on 30 October, with flights likely to begin within 45 days of the ceremony. Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu confirmed the timeline, while Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also assured that operations will start before the end of the year.

Built in four phases, the airport has completed its first phase with one runway and a passenger terminal, giving it the capacity to handle 12 million passengers annually. Technical installations, finishing works and deep cleaning are currently under way. An Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) program is also in progress to ensure smooth functioning once operations begin.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will issue the aerodrome license after all readiness checks are completed. The runway has been designed with CAT-III compliance, enabling operations even during dense fog, a frequent problem in North India’s winter months.

Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL) has confirmed IndiGo as the launch carrier, while Akasa Air has announced plans to operate both domestic and international flights. Discussions are ongoing with several other global airlines.

Originally scheduled to open in September 2024, the project was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Once fully completed by 2050, the airport will feature six runways and is expected to become India’s largest aviation hub, boosting passenger traffic as well as cargo movement.

With the inauguration set for the end of October and flights likely soon after, the airport is projected to transform connectivity in Delhi-NCR and drive growth in trade, tourism and investment in Uttar Pradesh.