GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 18th Sept: The long-awaited Noida International Airport (NIA) at Jewar in Gautam Buddh Nagar is finally ready for takeoff. Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu on Wednesday announced that the greenfield airport will be inaugurated on October 30, 2025, marking a milestone for aviation infrastructure in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Located about 75 km from Delhi, NIA will become the second international airport serving the NCR, after the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). Officials said the project is poised to not only ease passenger traffic from IGIA but also emerge as a strategic hub for cargo and regional connectivity.
Flight Operations Within 45 Days
While the grand inauguration is set for October 30, commercial flights will not begin immediately. The Civil Aviation Ministry has confirmed that operations will start within 45 days of the event, following final clearances from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has already granted crucial airside security clearance, while calibration of CAT-III infrastructure — which allows safe aircraft landings in poor visibility — is underway. DGCA approval is expected soon.
Minister Naidu also revealed that airlines are eager to launch services from Jewar.
“We expect at least 10 cities to be connected in the first phase from Jewar airport,” he said, hinting that the initial flight schedule will prioritize regional connectivity.
Cargo and Connectivity at the Core
Unlike IGIA, Noida International Airport has been designed with a sharp focus on cargo operations. Officials said this will significantly boost trade and logistics for North India, positioning Jewar as a logistics hub with global significance.
With fog season in North India starting around late December, the airport’s ability to operate in low visibility will be critical. The installation of CAT-III systems ensures preparedness from day one.
Passenger and Cargo Capacity
In its first operational phase, the airport will handle:
- 2 crore passengers annually
- Dedicated cargo facilities from the outset
Expansion is already planned in phases.
- Terminal 1 will be doubled to serve 3 crore passengers annually.
- A second runway and terminal will raise capacity to 5 crore passengers per annum (CPA).
- Long-term development will push capacity to 7 crore CPA, supported by multiple runways and terminals.
This growth trajectory mirrors the expansion of IGIA, which began with limited operations before evolving into one of the world’s busiest airports.
Built on Public-Private Partnership
The project is being developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, with Zurich Airport International as the concessionaire. Though it faced several delays — the most recent in April 2025 — the confirmation of the October inauguration has injected fresh momentum.
The Uttar Pradesh government has touted the airport as a catalyst for economic growth in Western UP, promising large-scale job creation, increased foreign investment, and regional development.
Looking Ahead
As India positions itself as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, the inauguration of NIA will significantly enhance the country’s air connectivity. For Delhi-NCR, it means reduced pressure on IGIA, better regional access, and a new hub designed with future scalability at its core.
With its strategic cargo facilities and passenger focus, Jewar’s Noida International Airport could transform into a vital gateway for both domestic and international travelers, redefining the aviation map of North India.
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