Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Phase I of Noida International Airport in Jewar, marking the launch of the National Capital Region’s second international airport and one of India’s most ambitious greenfield aviation projects in recent years.
Inaugurating the airport, PM Modi said it would serve as North India’s logistics gateway.
Praising the Noida International Airport and its potential to drive the state’s development, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the airport would serve as a “launchpad” for Uttar Pradesh’s bright future.
Phase I of the airport has been developed at a total cost of about ₹11,282 crore, with ₹6,876 crore invested by the concessionaire and ₹4,406 crore spent by the state government on land acquisition.
The airport is being developed in four phases at an estimated total cost of ₹29,560 crore. It is being developed and operated by Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG, in collaboration with the governments of Uttar Pradesh and India. The terminal has been designed by a consortium of Nordic, Grimshaw, Haptic, and STUP, with Tata Projects Ltd serving as the EPC contractor.
Narendra Modi also inaugurated the cargo terminal and laid the foundation stone for a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the airport. The proposed 40-acre MRO hub is expected to boost domestic aircraft maintenance capabilities.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described the inauguration as a landmark moment for the state, saying the development journey of the “New Uttar Pradesh” within the “New India” is set to reach another milestone. In a post on X, he called the airport “the runway for the development of Uttar Pradesh,” adding that it would help the aspirations of the state’s youth take flight. He also paid tribute to the farmers whose land acquisition made the project possible.
Noida International Airport (NIA), bearing the IATA code DXN, is designed to complement Indira Gandhi International Airport, with both operating as part of an integrated aviation system for the NCR. In Phase I, the airport features a single runway and terminal, with the capacity to handle 12 million passengers annually. The cargo terminal is set to manage 2.5 lakh metric tonnes each year initially, with the potential to scale up to 18 lakh metric tonnes.
Under a four-phase master plan, the airport’s capacity will eventually expand to handle up to 70 million passengers annually. Once fully operational, it is expected to make Uttar Pradesh the first state in India to have five international airports.
IndiGo, the airport’s launch carrier, along with Akasa Air and Air India Express, have confirmed their operations. The initial route network is expected to connect Noida with Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow, and Dehradun.
The airport received its aerodrome licence from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation on March 6, 2026, while the Central Industrial Security Force assumed responsibility for aviation security in September 2025.
When Will the New Airport Become Operational?
Despite today’s inauguration, commercial flight operations are expected to begin only in May, as two regulatory clearances are still pending before airlines can open bookings.
Approval of the Aerodrome Security Programme (ASP) by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security is still pending. The ASP serves as the airport’s core security framework, covering everything from entry checks to boarding procedures.
Shailendra Bhatia, nodal officer for Noida International Airport Ltd, said that once the ASP is cleared, operations can begin within 30 to 35 days. The airport’s tariff is also yet to be finalised.
The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority held a stakeholder consultation on March 23 and has invited feedback until April 17. Airlines can formally announce routes and begin ticket sales only after the tariff is finalised.
On the passenger experience side, ground handling has been awarded to Bird Group, while TajSATS will manage the inflight kitchen. Travel Food Services has secured concessions for a lounge and multicuisine food and beverage outlets, and retail as well as duty-free operations have been awarded to a consortium of Gebr. Heinemann and BWC.
Roseate Hotels and Resorts will operate the airport hotel, while the Siemens VarioTray system will manage baggage handling. Key technology partners include SITA, Amadeus, Kyndryl, and Tech Mahindra.