The long-awaited Noida International Airport (NIA) in Jewar, Gautam Buddh Nagar, is finally set for inauguration on October 30, 2025, Union Civil Aviation
Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu announced on Wednesday. The greenfield airport, located about 75 km from Delhi, will become the second international airport in the National Capital Region (NCR) after the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). Flight Operations to Begin Within 45 Days While the inauguration will take place on October 30, commercial flight operations are expected to commence within 45 days, after final approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) recently granted crucial airside security clearance, paving the way for the aerodrome license. Minister Naidu noted that airlines have already shown strong interest in operating from Jewar. “We expect at least 10 cities to be connected in the first phase from Jewar airport,” he said. Strategic Focus on Cargo and Connectivity Unlike IGIA, the new airport is being developed with a special focus on cargo operations, boosting its strategic importance for trade and logistics. NIA is designed to handle low-visibility operations from day one, as North India’s fog season typically begins in late December. An airport spokesperson confirmed that CAT-III infrastructure is being installed to ensure safe aircraft landings during poor visibility. These systems are currently undergoing calibration and DGCA approval. Capacity and Future Expansion In its first phase, Noida International Airport will handle:
- Passenger capacity: 1.2 crore annually
- Cargo operations: Dedicated facilities from the start
Officials confirmed that major works, including the terminal building, ATC tower, and runway, are underway, led by EPC contractor Tata Projects. The concessionaire, Yamuna International Airport Private
Future expansion plans include:
- Terminal 1 doubling capacity to 3 crore passengers annually
- Addition of a second runway and terminal to raise capacity to 5 crore passengers per annum (CPA)
- Long-term expansion to 7 CPA, with multiple runways and terminals
The development is modeled on IGIA’s gradual expansion, which began after operations shifted from Safdarjung Airport in 1962.
Public-Private Partnership Project
NIA is being built under a public-private partnership (PPP) model and has faced multiple delays, the most recent in April 2025. With the new date confirmed, the Uttar Pradesh government hopes the project will act as a catalyst for economic growth, regional development, and employment generation in Western UP.
