Noida International Airport (NIA) expects to handle 6 to 8 million passengers in the first full year of operation and will connect the Delhi national capital region to 10 domestic and some international destinations, Christoph Schnellmann, the airport’s Chief Executive Officer, told FE in an exclusive interview.
The new greenfield airport designed to accommodate 12 million passengers annually in Phase 1, aims to reach annual passenger traffic of 10 million passengers by 2030 and hopes to start the next the next phase of expansion when traffic reaches 80 percent of phase capacity, with subsequent phases designed to reach 30 million, 50 million, and ultimately 70 million passengers annually by 2050, Schnellmann said.
Built from the ground up, NIA aims to relieve congestion at Indira Gandhi International Airport while also positioning India’s Rise as a global aviation hub.
Edited Excerpts:
Q. What is Noida International Airport’s aim for annual passenger traffic in the first year of operation? How do you expect annual passenger traffic to increase till 2030?
Phase 1 is designed for 12 million passengers per year, with 6–8 million expected in the first full year. As demand grows, capacity will expand to 30 million annually by 2030, followed by future phases scaling up to 70 million.
Q. How will Noida International Airport redefine passenger experience for Indian customers? What technology features can you highlight that will set Noida International Airport apart from all other international airports in India?
NIA blends Swiss efficiency with Indian warmth. The airport offers a fully digital travel experience with self-bag drops, self-boarding gates, and DigiYatra biometric-enabled processing at all gates. All gates will be DigiYatra-enabled, which will allow swift and secure biometric-based travel.
From day one, passengers will have access to taxis, buses, intercity coaches, and parking facilities. The airport will be linked to major centres in Delhi, Haryana, and Uttarakhand through direct bus routes. Master plans include future links via the RRTS corridor from Ghaziabad and a Delhi–Varanasi high-speed rail line.
We have also been engaging with airlines since the inception of the project—even before submitting our bid to understand their operational requirements and design an airport that enables seamless and efficient operations.
Will are committed to offering the infrastructure airlines need to grow strategically in the Delhi NCR region, including adequate overnight parking for aircraft and availability of peak-hour slots.
NIA will also feature mixed-rotation gates, allowing an aircraft arriving from a domestic destination to depart to an international one from the same gate—and vice versa. Our multi-level terminal design ensures that domestic and international passengers remain separated, maintaining security protocols while enabling efficient gate usage.
Q. Will passengers be experiencing new security features like full-body scanners and CT X-ray machines from the first day of operation of Noida International Airport? If not, are there any plans to add these features to the airport in the future?
Phase 1 will include CTX scanners for checked baggage and standard X-rays for hand baggage per BCAS norms. Design provisions allow easy integration of body scanners and CT technology in future phases.
Q. How can new greenfield airports give India an edge in becoming a global aviation hub? Which cities in India do you expect to become global aviation hubs by 2030?
Greenfield airports such as Noida International Airport allow India to design world-class aviation infrastructure from scratch — focusing on efficiency, scalability, and sustainability. These facilities integrate airside, landside, and cargo infrastructure for smoother passenger transfers and faster aircraft turnaround. Over the next few years, such airports will strengthen India’s aviation backbone, positioning cities like Delhi-Noida, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Mumbai to emerge as global aviation hubs by 2030.
Christoph on high-speed rail link from Delhi to NIA
Q. Can you share updates on the high-speed rail link from Delhi to the Noida International Airport? Do you expect the Noida Metro to also be expanded to the airport? If yes, by when can passengers expect that?
Provisions exist in the master plan for integrated Metro and high-speed rail stations. Future connectivity includes an RRTS extension from Ghaziabad and a Delhi–Varanasi bullet train stop at NIA. Timelines depend on government infrastructure agencies.
Q. Noida International Airport is the third airport in Delhi NCR, and with western UP not so developed, what kind of business turnover, revenue model and timelines are you looking at? Will you eventually be cannibalising Delhi Airport’s traffic?
No. The Delhi-NCR region needs extra capacity to meet surging demand from carriers like IndiGo and Air India. NIA will complement Delhi Airport, offering easier access for populations across Noida, Greater Noida, Agra, Aligarh, and Ghaziabad, while boosting tourism to Agra, Mathura, and the Buddhist circuit.
Our objective remains to contribute to the overall growth of the aviation ecosystem by offering a new, congestion-free alternative with modern infrastructure, faster processes, and a focus on ease of travel.
Q. Once the airport is up and running, what kind of economic boost will it provide to this area?
NIA will be a major economic catalyst for western Uttar Pradesh, creating over 5,000 direct jobs initially and several thousand more across logistics, retail, and hospitality. Partnerships with firms such as Tata Projects, Indian Oil, Bird Group, and Air India SATS will further attract investment and spur development.
Christoph on last mile connectivity to Taj Mahal
Q. Are you looking at any kind of last-mile connectivity to the Taj Mahal?
Yes, a new MoU with the UPSRTC will provide direct bus routes to major destinations like Agra, Mathura–Vrindavan, Aligarh, and Meerut, improving last-mile access to key cultural and tourist sites.
Q. Which destinations is Noida International Airport prioritising, domestic and international?
NIA is developing a comprehensive route map with airlines for strong domestic and short-haul international connectivity. Specific destinations will be announced closer to commercial launch.
Q. Which international carriers or domestic low-cost airlines have committed to operating from the airport?
IndiGo will be the launch carrier, followed by Akasa Air and Air India Express, operating both domestic and international routes. Airlines from the Middle East and Southeast Asia have shown strong interest.
Q. What cargo operations are planned for the airport? Can you elaborate on capacity and features?
NIA is developing a Multi-Modal Cargo Hub with Air India SATS, capable of handling 200,000 metric tons annually in phase 1, scaling up to 1.8 million tonnes. Facilities include temperature-controlled pharma storage, cold-chain space, and a dedicated transhipment and logistics zone near key industrial corridors.
Q. How will Noida Airport ensure seamless travel between itself and IGI Airport?
The airport is focusing on robust road and intercity bus connectivity across NCR and northern India, ensuring smooth transfers between Noida and Delhi airports.
Q. What measures are being taken to address last-mile connectivity for passengers?
Services will include electric taxis (Mahindra Logistics Mobility), Uber, Rapido, and direct intercity buses from Delhi, Haryana, and Uttarakhand, ensuring accessible travel for all price segments.
Q. How is Noida Airport preparing for inclement weather, especially during winter fog?
NIA includes CAT-III navigational systems from its first phase to ensure minimal disruption during low-visibility operations.
Q. What key infrastructure developments are underway to ensure smooth airport operations and passenger amenities?
NIA is in advanced stages of DGCA and BCAS clearances for aerodrome licensing and security. It has world-class partners for F&B, retail, and ground handling, focused on safe, efficient, and comfortable operations.
Q. How is Noida Airport incorporating eco-friendly practices into its design?
Sustainability is central to NIA’s vision. The airport follows a net-zero emissions philosophy, integrating natural light, ventilation, rainwater harvesting, solar power, waste management, and EV infrastructure. Around 730 trees were transplanted, and 133 hectares of green space have been planned. Technologies like Nanogence Catalyst are minimising carbon impact during construction.