Noida International Airport to start operations from June 15; IndiGo to fly first
PTC Web Desk: Operations at the upcoming Noida International Airport are expected to start from June 15, marking a major step in boosting air connectivity in the National Capital Region. Situated in Jewar in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddh Nagar district, the new airport is likely to reduce the heavy rush at Indira Gandhi International Airport.
The project has moved closer to launch after receiving clearance for its Aerodrome Security Programme from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security. This approval sets off a mandatory 45-day period before flight operations can begin. Authorities have also started discussions with airlines regarding ticket bookings and route planning.
According to officials, IndiGo will operate the first flight from the airport. It will soon be joined by Akasa Air and Air India Express. In the initial phase, flights are likely to connect cities such as Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. International services, especially to West Asia and Southeast Asia, are expected to begin a few months after domestic operations stabilise.
While flight schedules and slots are still being finalised, IndiGo is expected to operate the maximum number of flights in the early stages. Air India Express is also planning to run two daily flights between Noida and Bengaluru.
The airport’s first phase has been developed at a cost of around Rs 11,200 crore under a public-private partnership model. It will include one runway and a terminal capable of handling up to 12 million passengers annually. Once all four phases are completed, the airport is projected to handle as many as 70 million passengers each year.
Located along the Yamuna Expressway, the airport is being positioned as a major aviation hub for north India, aimed at improving connectivity and easing pressure on Delhi’s existing airport.
- With inputs from agencies
