'Commercial Flight Ops From Noida Airport To Start In 45 To 60 Days': Civil Aviation Minister

Commercial flight operations from the Noida International Airport (NIA) are expected to begin within the next 45 to 60 days, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters after the inauguration ceremony of the airport in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, Naidu said preparations are underway to operationalise the facility and that necessary arrangements, including security planning, are currently being finalised.

“Flight operations from the airport would start in 45 to 60 days,” Naidu said, adding that the process of putting the required security systems in place is progressing.

The Noida International Airport, located in Gautam Buddh Nagar district, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday.

The airport is

among the largest greenfield airport projects in India and is expected to significantly boost aviation infrastructure in the National Capital Region.

Naidu said that airline operators have already shown interest in commencing services from the airport, with IndiGo keen to begin flights once operations are cleared to start.

SECURITY PLANS BEING FINALISED

The civil aviation minister said that security-related preparations are currently being worked out, which are among the final steps before commercial operations begin.

The airport has already received an aerodrome licence from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), enabling it to move closer to operational readiness.

With regulatory approvals in place, the focus is now on ensuring that infrastructure, operational systems and safety measures are aligned for passenger services.

The airport is equipped with modern navigation systems, including Instrument Landing System (ILS) technology and advanced airfield lighting, which are expected to help facilitate safe flight operations in varying visibility conditions.

The 3,900-metre runway at the airport is capable of handling wide-body aircraft, enabling both domestic and international flight operations in the future.

MAJOR GREENFIELD AVIATION PROJECT

The Noida International Airport is being developed in four phases and is expected to emerge as a key aviation hub in northern India.

In its initial phase, the airport will have the capacity to handle 12 million passengers annually.

Once fully completed, the airport’s total passenger handling capacity is projected to reach 70 million passengers per year, placing it among the major aviation hubs in the country.

The first phase of the project has been developed at an estimated cost of around Rs 11,200 crore under a public-private partnership model.

The airport will be operated by Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd (YIAPL), a subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG.

The first phase includes a terminal building spread over 1,37,985 square metres with 48 check-in counters.

The airport is designed to handle up to 30 flight movements per hour during peak operations.

In addition to passenger services, the airport will also support cargo operations, with an estimated cargo handling capacity of around 2.5 lakh tonnes in the initial phase.

A total of 28 aircraft stands have been planned in the first phase, allowing multiple aircraft to be handled simultaneously.

FOCUS ON LONG-TERM AVIATION INFRASTRUCTURE

The airport project also includes plans for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, with more than 40 acres of land earmarked for this purpose.

NIA and Akasa Air have already announced a strategic partnership to establish an MRO facility at the airport.

Originally scheduled to begin operations in September 2024, the airport is now expected to start commercial services within the timeline indicated by the civil aviation minister.

Naidu’s remarks indicate that operational readiness activities are progressing towards completion, bringing the airport closer to commencing passenger flight services.

The development of the Noida International Airport is expected to enhance connectivity and strengthen aviation capacity in the region, while also supporting cargo movement and related aviation services.

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