The Noida International Airport (NIA) is set to conduct a crucial validation flight today, marking an important milestone in the lead-up to its commercial operations, slated for a few months later. The validation flight plays a key role in testing and certifying the airport’s approach and departure procedures for aircraft.
Essentially a test run, this flight ensures that the Jewar airport’s landing and takeoff procedures, navigational and communication systems, and infrastructure meet regulatory and safety standards.
When will Noida airport submit for aerodrome license?
Data from the flight will be submitted to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). If successful, the airport will apply for the aerodrome license—an official certification by the DGCA to operate as a commercial airport.
Earlier, in late August, NIA CEO Christoph Schnellmann confirmed that both the validation flight and the aerodrome license application were scheduled for December. The NIA, located approximately 90 kilometers from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), will be the second major airport in the National Capital Region (NCR) after IGIA.
Noida airport to begin commercial operations in April 2025
The airport is now expected to begin commercial operations in April 2025, delayed from its original timeline due to global supply chain issues affecting the delivery of construction materials and equipment. The airport’s terminal and other infrastructure are now in the advanced stages of development.
Runway construction at the new airport is complete, and critical steps such as the calibration of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI)—both essential for safe runway operations—were successfully finished in October by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) with DGCA support.
Domestic and international airlines eye Noida airport for operations
According to NIA management, the new airport is generating significant interest from both domestic and international airlines. Domestic carriers such as IndiGo and Akasa Air have already signed up for operations from the new airport, with indications that they may also operate international flights.
In August, Schnellmann mentioned that the NIA was in discussions with Air India and other domestic and international airlines for services at the new airport. The terminal is being designed as an integrated facility capable of handling both domestic and international flights from day one.
Noida airport to handle 12 million passengers annually
The airport’s first phase—comprising one runway and one terminal—will have a capacity to handle 12 million passengers annually. Ultimately, with the completion of future phases, the NIA will be able to accommodate up to 70 million passengers per year.
Developed by Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd (YIAPL), a subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG, the NIA is a flagship project for the Uttar Pradesh government. YIAPL is responsible for the airport’s operations under a 40-year concession agreement that began on October 1, 2021.
Serving as the second airport in the NCR, alongside IGIA, the NIA is poised to meet growing demand for air travel in the region, particularly as IGIA nears capacity in the coming years. This greenfield airport will play a critical role in connecting Western Uttar Pradesh and the greater Delhi area with domestic and international flights.
The NIA is one of two under-construction greenfield airports, alongside Navi Mumbai Airport, that will act as secondary airports for major metropolitan areas in India.