The first test flight from Noida International Airport is expected to take place in March, with complete operationalisation expected by the end of the year.
Speaking to FE, Christoph Schnellmann, CEO, Noida International Airport, said that asphalt work on the runway (3,900 metres) is “well under way and will be completed by the first quarter of 2024”.
Construction work is progressing in full swing, he said. “To date, we have clocked more than 25 million safe work hours with over 9,000 dedicated individuals currently working at the site to deliver the airport as per the committed timeline,” Schnellmann said.
Tata Projects is the EPC contractor for the construction work, which started in June 2022.
“We have reached the final floor level of the passenger terminal building, and façade work is under way… electric and plumbing work has also kicked off,” he said.
Structural work for the Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower has been completed. “We are on track to hand over the ATC Tower to the Airports Authority of India.”
Last year, Noida International Airport partnered with IndiGo as its inaugural carrier. A few weeks ago, Akasa Air entered into a strategic collaboration with the airport.
“We also brought on board several crucial partners, including TajSATS, for an in-flight catering facility, Amadeus for passenger processing, and Air India SATS for a multi-modal cargo hub at the airport,” he said.
“We have also moved one step closer to welcoming passengers with the unveiling of the IATA code for the airport, DXN.”
In terms of road connectivity, Schnellmann said the airport has plans primarily centred on the Yamuna Expressway. “There’s an agreement for additional road access dedicated to cargo from the east side of the airport, so cargo and passenger traffic do not mix.”
Rail connectivity to nearby areas, potentially via metro or RRTS, is also planned. Future high-speed rail connectivity from Delhi to Varanasi could include a stop near the airport, Schnellmann added.