Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has set a definitive timeline for the much-anticipated Noida International Airport, declaring it will be inaugurated in January 2026. The announcement, made during the state Assembly's Winter session, positions the Jewar facility as Uttar Pradesh's fifth international airport and a landmark project for the region.
A Leap in Aviation Infrastructure
Addressing the legislative assembly, CM Adityanath contrasted the state's aviation landscape before and after 2017. He noted that prior to 2017, Uttar Pradesh had only a handful of airports, with just two fully operational. Today, 16 airports are functional across the state, including four international terminals.
"The fifth international airport, which will be India's largest, will be made operational in Jewar next month. This is the speed of Uttar Pradesh," the Chief Minister stated emphatically in the House. The Noida International Airport is a greenfield project being developed in the Jewar area of Gautam Buddh Nagar district under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Beyond Aviation: A Multi-Modal Transport Boom
Adityanath's address extended beyond aviation, highlighting a comprehensive upgrade in the state's connectivity framework. He pointed to significant advancements in several key areas:
- Expressways: Uttar Pradesh now commands a major share of the country's expressway network.
- Rail & Metro: The state has seen extensive expansion of rail routes and metro services in urban centers.
- Road Connectivity: Improved inter-state road links have bolstered regional integration.
This multi-pronged approach underscores the government's strategy to position UP as a national logistics and transit hub.
Project Scale and Timeline
The Jewar airport project is monumental in scale. Its first phase, which will now see a 2026 opening, is spread over approximately 1,300 hectares. The project has experienced revisions to its operational schedule, having initially targeted a September 2024 launch before encountering delays.
Once complete, the airport is poised to become India's largest aviation facility, significantly decongesting air traffic in the National Capital Region and serving as a catalyst for economic development in western Uttar Pradesh.
The announcement solidifies the state government's commitment to transforming Uttar Pradesh's infrastructure, with the Noida International Airport standing as a central pillar in its vision for enhanced connectivity and economic growth.
