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Noida International Airport (Jewar), which is set to commence commercial operations from 15 June 2026, was expected to offer cheaper airfares due to Uttar Pradesh’s low 1% tax on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), compared to nearly 25% in Delhi. However, early ticket prices tell a different story, leaving travellers confused and concerned.
Initial bookings, as reported by Aaj Tak, reveals that a flight from Jewar to Lucknow costs significantly more than the same route from Delhi’s IGI Airport. For instance, Indigo flights from Noida to Lucknow are priced around Rs 5,000–Rs 6,500, while similar flights from Delhi are available between Rs 3,600 and Rs 4,500 during the same period.
The sharpest difference has been observed on the Lucknow route. A ticket
from Jewar Airport to Lucknow is currently priced at around Rs 5,401, while the same journey from IGI Airport costs nearly Rs 3,394, a difference of more than Rs 2,000 per passenger.
Similar differences are visible on other routes as well:
Bengaluru: Around Rs 8,979 from Jewar compared to Rs 8,910 from IGI
Hyderabad: Approximately Rs 6,198 from Jewar and Rs 6,129 from IGI
Navi Mumbai: Nearly Rs 7,256 from Jewar versus Rs 6,760 from IGI
For flights to Mumbai on June 15, the average airfare from Jewar is reported to be around Rs 7,026. In comparison, fares from Hindon Airport stand at approximately Rs 6,760, while flights from IGI Airport are available for about Rs 6,999.
The difference is even more noticeable on the Kolkata route. Flights from Jewar to Kolkata on June 15 are reportedly priced at around Rs 7,123, while fares from IGI are about Rs 5,894 and from Hindon Airport approximately Rs 5,930.
Why Travellers Are Paying More To Fly From Jewar
The primary reason behind the higher fares is the steep User Development Fee (UDF) and other aeronautical charges at the new greenfield airport. Jewar Airport has proposed a domestic departure UDF of Rs 653 per passenger, compared to just Rs 129 at Delhi IGI Airport. This represents a massive 406% increase.
Aircraft parking fees are also nearly double. Parking an Airbus A321 for six hours costs Rs 14,500 at Jewar, against Rs 6,900 at Delhi IGI. Landing charges for aircraft below 100 tonnes are reportedly 119% higher than at Delhi.
Major airlines, including Indigo and Air India, have raised strong concerns with the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA). Indigo has projected an additional annual cost of nearly Rs 103 crore if operating from Jewar, with roughly Rs 475 extra cost per passenger on a round trip.
Other reasons include:
Poor Connectivity: Unlike Delhi, Noida’s Jewar Airport currently lacks robust metro or rapid rail connectivity, forcing passengers from Delhi-NCR to rely heavily on expensive cabs and private transport.
Added Travel Cost: This extra surface transport expense significantly increases the overall cost of flying from Jewar Airport.
Political Concern: UP BJP MLA Dhirendra Singh from Jewar has written to the Chief Secretary, raising concerns that despite lower ATF tax and temporary UDF discounts, high airport charges are making travel from Noida more expensive for passengers.
Authority’s Stand: Airport officials maintain that the charges are standard for new greenfield airports and are still subject to final approval by AERA.
Long-term Hope: Authorities believe that in the long run, improved operational efficiencies and increased competition will help bring down airfares from Jewar Airport.
What This Means for Travellers?
For passengers in western Uttar Pradesh and parts of Delhi-NCR, Jewar Airport promises shorter travel time to the airport. However, in the initial phase, it appears travellers may have to pay a premium for the convenience of the new facility.
As commercial flights begin on 15 June 2026, both airlines and authorities will be closely watched on how quickly they can make Jewar a truly competitive and affordable alternative to Delhi’s IGI Airport.
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