Even as the Adani-run Navi Mumbai International Airport commenced its commercial flights, the much-anticipated Noida International Airport (NIA) at Jewar has encountered another significant setback. The airport, destined to be the National Capital Region's second international gateway, is now expected to begin operations only in 2026, having missed multiple deadlines.
Regulatory Hurdles Cause Major Delays
The project's launch is currently stalled due to two critical pending approvals. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has yet to issue the essential aerodrome licence, which is a safety certification confirming the airport's infrastructure meets all regulatory standards for commercial flights. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Home Affairs must grant mandatory security clearance for the airport's foreign CEO, Christoph Schnellmann, a Swiss national. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) recently highlighted this clearance as a prerequisite for all greenfield airports.
This represents the fourth official deadline the project has failed to meet. Originally slated for a September 2024 opening, the date was first pushed to April 2025, then to June 2025. In September, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu announced an inauguration for October 30, with commercial flights starting within 45 days. That timeline has now been abandoned, with officials focusing on achieving full operational readiness by the end of 2025.
Progress Amidst Setbacks
In a statement to Mint, Noida International Airport CEO Christoph Schnellmann emphasized that the team is working towards the crucial milestone of securing the DGCA's aerodrome licence. "Following this key prerequisite, the start of commercial operations will be planned in coordination with airlines and partners," he stated. The airport spokesperson added that they are working closely with the DGCA and BCAS, asserting that safety and security remain non-negotiable priorities.
Despite the delays, the airport has completed several operational readiness checks. These include integrated terminal trials and calibration flights for navigation equipment conducted on October 30 and November 3. The first phase of this ₹6,500-crore project, built on a 1,334-hectare site approximately 90 km from Delhi's IGI Airport, is designed to handle 12 million passengers annually, with a target of 6 million in its first full year.
Connectivity and Pricing Strategy
Analysts point to connectivity as a near-term challenge for the airport. While planned Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) projects and expressway links are expected to improve access in the long term, their timelines remain uncertain. Schnellmann noted that relevant state and central agencies are advancing Metro and RRTS connectivity plans, which are vital for the airport's multi-modal vision.
On the commercial front, Schnellmann assured that tariffs at Noida International Airport would be competitive with similar airports in India. The revenue model is designed with a balanced mix of aeronautical and non-aeronautical streams. For airlines, the airport promises advantages like adequate overnight parking, peak-hour slot availability, and an open-access fuel infrastructure aimed at providing cost-effective aviation turbine fuel (ATF).
The 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 Uttar Pradesh government. As the regulatory processes continue, all eyes are on 2026 for the potential take-off of this crucial infrastructure project.
