.jpeg)
The Noida International Airport (NIA) will be officially inaugurated on October 30, the Union Civil Aviation Minister, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, announced on Wednesday. Passenger operations are scheduled to commence within 45 days of the launch.
The announcement was made during an event at the Hindon civil terminal in Ghaziabad.
Initial connectivity and airline partners
In its initial phase, the airport will connect approximately 10 cities, focusing largely on major metros. International operations are planned for a later date.
"Major cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kolkata will be among the first to be linked," minister Naidu stated. "Apart from passenger operations, there is also significant potential for cargo flights."
The airport concessionaire, Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL), has already signed agreements with two carriers. IndiGo has been designated as the launch carrier and is expected to anchor operations. Akasa Air, which began flying in 2022, plans to use NIA as a hub for both metro and regional routes.
Infrastructure and readiness checks
Core infrastructure for the airport is already in place. Finishing touches are currently being applied to the domestic terminal. Simultaneously, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is reportedly installing equipment in the new air traffic control tower.
A comprehensive Operational Readiness Activation and Transition (ORAT) programme is underway. This involves rigorous trial runs, system simulations and training for airlines, ground handlers and security staff. Systems for baggage handling, check-in, security scanning and boarding are all being tested.
Progress towards securing necessary approvals is also advancing. As reported by TOI, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) granted crucial airside security clearance on September 15. This clearance is a prerequisite for the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to issue the aerodrome licence.
A DGCA inspection is now due shortly, according to NIAL nodal officer Shailendra Kumar Bhatia.
Phased development and past delays
The greenfield project is being developed in four phases. The first phase includes a single runway and a terminal designed to handle 12 million passengers annually. Capacity is planned to scale up to 30 million in Phase 2, 50 million in Phase 3 and 70 million upon full completion. The airport is projected to serve around six million passengers in its opening year.
The project has, however, faced significant delays. Originally slated for completion by September 2024, the deadline was later pushed to April 2025 and then to May-June due to pending terminal works. These delays led the state government to impose a daily penalty of Rs 10 lakh on the concessionaire from January 1.
NIAL officials instructed YIAPL during a June review meeting to complete all pending works by September. On Tuesday, NIAL CEO RK Singh and other officials inspected the site to finalise the inauguration venue. Unofficial sources cited by TOI suggested that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend the event.
Built for growth and security
The airport has been designed using Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles to embed security into its very fabric. Its perimeter will be secured by electric fencing and over 350 high-resolution CCTV cameras.
A centralised Unified Security Operations Centre will integrate feeds from all security systems for continuous monitoring. Passenger screening will be facilitated by an advanced automated tray retrieval system, 13 security lanes, in-line baggage screening and full-body scanners.
The airport has also introduced specialised role-based aviation security training for all staff and partners to ensure readiness.
