The Noida International Airport at Jewar has been one of Uttar Pradesh’s most-awaited infrastructure projects. Its first phase was earlier slated to be operational in September 2024, but the deadline was not able to be met. As per a report by The Indian Express, the “development of Noida International Airport is complete, and the process of issuing the aerodrome license is underway.”
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated to the state Assembly on December 25 that the airport is now expected to be launched in January, making it the state’s fifth international airport and planned to be the largest in India. He mentioned that 16 airports are already functional in the state, and the “fifth international airport, which will be India’s largest, will be made operational in Jewar next month.”
From the missed deadline to the January inauguration
The project is a greenfield airport being built in the Jewar area of Gautam Budh Nagar under the public-private partnership model. It is headed by Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd and Noida International Airport, with several well-known companies, including Tata Projects, involved in construction and services, as reported by ANI. The airport will cover around 13,000 hectares and will operate with one runway in its first phase. It will handle around 1.2 crores passengers on annual basis. Over time, it is planned to expand to 11,750 acres with five runways and the capacity to handle up to 30 crore passengers a year, as per a report by the Indian Express.
Even before flights start, the project has started to reshape the Yamuna Expressway belt. Real estate activity is picking up on the approach from Noida and Greater Noida. Authorities are also planning to extend the Regional Rapid Transit System rail links and Metro routes towards the airport in the coming years.
Boost for Western UP economy
According to a report by ANI, the Uttar Pradesh government sees the Noida International Airport as a crucial driver of growth for Western UP. It is expected to enhance global connectivity for Delhi-NCR and will attract industry to the region.
The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority is setting up the area as a major manufacturing hub, with electronics, EV, solar, auto, and consumer units in the pipeline.
More than 5,000 jobs related to the project are being created with benefits such as minimum wages, PF, gratuity, and ESI. Special programs have been initiated for Project Affected Families, including an online career portal, training in English, airport operations, soft skills, and recruitment camps. ITI Jewar has been upgraded, and many trainees have already secured employment. Officials state that the airport is being built as a state-of-the-art, net-zero facility that blends Swiss efficiency with Indian hospitality and is expected to become a major economic hub once it’s open.
Officials say the airport is being designed as a state-of-the-art, net-zero facility that blends Swiss efficiency with Indian hospitality and is expected to become a major economic hub once it opens.
