In a major milestone for India’s aviation and infrastructure sector, officials from Noida International Airport presented the aerodrome licence issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, during a meeting in Lucknow. The licence marks a crucial step toward the early operationalisation of the airport in Jewar and signals that the project has cleared one of its final regulatory requirements.
The aerodrome licence certifies that the airport meets all safety and operational standards prescribed by India’s aviation regulator. Following the issuance of the licence, officials informed the Chief Minister that preparations for the airport’s inauguration and the commencement of commercial flight operations will now move forward at a faster pace.
According to officials familiar with the development, the airport could begin operations within the next 45 days. Authorities are also coordinating with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to finalise a date for the inauguration, which may take place after March 25.
The airport has been licensed under the “Public Use” category, allowing all-weather and round-the-clock operations. One of its key infrastructure highlights is a 3,900-metre-long and 45-metre-wide runway, designed to accommodate a wide range of aircraft, including large wide-body planes. The runway is equipped with advanced systems such as the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Aeronautical Ground Lighting, enabling safe landings and take-offs even in low-visibility conditions.
In terms of aircraft handling capacity, the airport features parking stands for 24 Code C aircraft and two Code D/F aircraft, ensuring that it can support both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft operations. The airport is also equipped with Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Category 9 facilities, allowing it to handle large aircraft such as the Boeing 777-300ER.
The delegation presenting the licence was led by Airport Chief Executive Officer Christoph Schnellmann, who, along with other senior officials, briefed the Chief Minister about the current progress of the project and the upcoming development phases. Officials also informed the Chief Minister that the airport’s Aerodrome Security Programme is currently under review by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). Once the final security clearance is granted, the airport management will coordinate with relevant agencies to finalise the inauguration date and initiate commercial flight operations.
Spread across approximately 1,300 hectares in Jewar, Gautam Buddha Nagar, the airport is being developed as a major greenfield aviation project that will significantly strengthen connectivity between the National Capital Region and western Uttar Pradesh with destinations across India and the world.
The development of the airport is planned in four phases. In the first phase, one runway and one passenger terminal have been constructed with an annual capacity of around 12 million passengers. The second phase will expand capacity to 30 million passengers, while further expansion in the third and fourth phases will increase the airport’s total capacity to approximately 70 million passengers annually.
Once operational, Noida International Airport will become the second major airport serving the NCR, complementing the region’s existing aviation hub, Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. The project is expected to reduce congestion at Delhi’s busiest airport while enhancing connectivity for the rapidly growing regions of Noida, Greater Noida, and western Uttar Pradesh.
The airport project was awarded in 2020 to Zurich Airport International AG, which is developing and operating the facility through its Indian subsidiary under a 40-year public-private partnership. Once fully completed, the airport is expected to emerge as one of Asia’s largest aviation hubs, significantly strengthening India’s global connectivity and supporting long-term regional economic growth.
