Noida International Airport Inauguration Highlights: PM Modi slams past govts, says BJP made air travel affordable for the ‘common Indians’

For now, IndiGo, Akasa Air and Air India Express have committed to operating domestic flights from Noida airport. The initial network is expected to connect the city with major hubs including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow and Dehradun, though the final route map will be confirmed after security clearance is obtained.

Speaking at the launch of Noida International Airport in Jewar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said nearly 85% of India’s aircraft are currently sent overseas for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO). He added that the government is developing large-scale MRO facilities across the country, including at Jewar, to cut dependence on foreign services, generate jobs and position India as a global hub for aircraft servicing.

The DGCA granted the airport its aerodrome licence on March 6, 2026, clearing a key regulatory hurdle. Under the project timeline, cargo and domestic operations were slated to begin within 45 days of this approval, indicating that commercial flight services are likely to take off between mid-April and May 2026.

Industry leaders estimate thousands of crores in investments and significant job creation. The airport is expected to generate employment across sectors, from aviation to real estate and services. The Jewar corridor is reshaping NCR’s development model. Experts say the region is moving towards a multi-nodal structure, reducing pressure on existing urban centres like Delhi and Gurugram.

The Yamuna Expressway region is evolving into a self-sustaining urban hub. With residential, commercial, and industrial growth happening together, the airport is set to redefine how cities develop around infrastructure.

Narendra Modi said the government is prioritising citizen convenience through large-scale infrastructure expansion. He highlighted growth in metro and Vande Bharat services, increased infrastructure spending, highway construction, and rapid railway electrification, adding that such investments are key to building a ‘Viksit Bharat’ with modern, efficient connectivity nationwide.

"Today, the priority of our government is the convenience of the citizens of the country... Modern rail services like Metro and Vande Bharat are being expanded with the same intention. Till now, more than 2.5 crore people have travelled to Namo Bharat... Our government is investing heavily in the modern infrastructure of 'Viksit Bharat',” PM said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India’s aviation sector has seen significant growth over the past decade. He noted that the number of airports in the country has increased from 74 before 2014 to over 160 today.

“Before 2014, there were only 74 airports in the country. Today, there are more than 160 airports in the country. Now, apart from the big cities, air connectivity is reaching even the smallest cities in the country. The previous governments believed that air travel should only be for the rich. But the BJP government has made air travel easy for the common Indians," PM said.

The Prime Minister drew a stark contrast between the current development and the era of the Samajwadi Party. PM Modi claimed previous Chief Ministers were "scared" to visit Noida, fearing election losses, often canceling plans at the last minute. Despite being warned by others, he stated that he viewed the visit as an opportunity to "seek blessings" and gain the strength to serve India.

PM Modi noted that the area, once neglected due to myths, is now ready to "welcome the whole world" and fulfill India’s "selfless resolve."

'I am going to seek the blessings of this place, which will give me the strength to serve until the end of my life.' Now, that area is ready to welcome the whole world. This entire region is fulfilling the selfless resolve of India,” PM noted.

PM Modi accused the previous Congress-led central government of intentionally stalling the project and keeping it "hidden in files."

"For years, the Congress government at the Centre and previous state governments did not allow the foundation stone to be laid. From 2004 to 2014, this project remained hidden in files. Even when our government was formed in Delhi, the Samajwadi Party government in UP blocked it for the first 2–3 years. However, as soon as the BJP-NDA government was formed both in Delhi and here in UP, the foundation of the airport was laid, it was built, and today, it has begun operations," PM said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the inauguration of the Jewar Airport as a landmark achievement for the "Double-Engine Government," contrasting its swift completion with decades of previous political stagnation.

He pointed out that while the project received initial approval under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee administration in 2003, it remained trapped in bureaucratic limbo for nearly twenty years. He noted that the delay was so extensive that a generation has grown up and others have retired since the first signatures were put to paper.

"This Jewar Airport is a prime example of the work culture of the 'Double-Engine Government.' The government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee actually gave approval for this airport in the files back in 2003. Many of you here today might not even have been born in 2003; others who were 35 then may have retired by now. Yet, the airport was not built," he said.

PM Modi said the Noida Airport event reflects India’s new confidence amid global challenges. Referring to tensions in West Asia, he noted disruptions in fuel and essential supplies, adding that the government is taking steps to ensure the burden of rising costs does not fall on ordinary citizens and farmers.

"Today's event is a symbol of India's new attitude. Everyone can see how worried the world is. There has been a war going on in West Asia for the past month. Due to the war, food, petrol, diesel, gas, coal, and other essential goods have been affected”.

Adding to it he mentioned that, “There is a crisis all around, and every country is trying to face it. Our India is also fighting this crisis with all its might, relying on the strength of its citizens. While India requires significant crude oil and gas from the affected areas, the government is taking every step to ensure that this crisis does not become a burden on ordinary families and our farmers."

PM Narendra Modi said the Noida Airport event reflects India’s new confidence amid global challenges. Referring to tensions in West Asia, he noted disruptions in fuel and essential supplies, adding that the government is taking steps to ensure the burden of rising costs does not fall on ordinary citizens and farmers.

"Today's event is a symbol of India's new attitude. Everyone can see how worried the world is. There has been a war going on in West Asia for the past month. Due to the war, food, petrol, diesel, gas, coal, and other essential goods have been affected”.

Adding to it he mentioned that, “There is a crisis all around, and every country is trying to face it. Our India is also fighting this crisis with all its might, relying on the strength of its citizens. While India requires significant crude oil and gas from the affected areas, the government is taking every step to ensure that this crisis does not become a burden on ordinary families and our farmers."

PM Narendra Modi said the Noida International Airport inauguration marks a new chapter in the “Viksit UP, Viksit Bharat” campaign. He highlighted that Uttar Pradesh now has the highest number of international airports, calling the moment a matter of pride and linking the project to the state’s growing identity and development journey.

“Today, we are starting a new chapter of the 'Viksit UP, Viksit Bharat' campaign. Today, the biggest state in the country has become the state with the most international airports. Today, there are two reasons for my pride and happiness. One is that you all have given me the good fortune to lay the foundation for the construction of this airport, and you all have also given me the good fortune to conduct the inauguration of this airport,” PM Modi said.

PM Narendra Modi has inaugurated Phase 1 of the Noida International Airport in Jewar today, marking a major milestone in India’s infrastructure growth. The launch is expected to boost connectivity, ease congestion in the NCR region, and unlock new opportunities for trade, tourism, and economic development.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath welcomed PM Narendra Modi at the Noida Airport event, crediting him for driving Uttar Pradesh’s growth. He also thanked the Centre for controlling fuel prices and reducing excise duty, saying such measures have helped maintain stability amid global uncertainty and rising petroleum costs.

"On behalf of the 25 crore people of Uttar Pradesh, I heartily welcome and congratulate the Prime Minister at this grand and warm ceremony for taking Uttar Pradesh's growth to new heights through the Noida International Airport. Yesterday, on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, there was an atmosphere of celebration and excitement throughout the country. Currently, the world is in turmoil, a state of anarchy, a state of uncertainty, and the prices of petroleum products are skyrocketing,” CM Yogi said.

Yogi Adityanath hailed the Noida International Airport as a major driver of growth, calling it a “launchpad” for Uttar Pradesh’s bright future. He said the project will boost connectivity, attract investment, and create new opportunities, positioning the state for faster economic and infrastructure development in the coming years.

PM Narendra Modi toured and reviewed the Noida International Airport in Jewar ahead of inaugurating its Phase 1. He was accompanied by Yogi Adityanath during the visit. The Prime Minister is set to formally inaugurate the airport shortly.

A sacred artefact of Gautama Buddha was presented to Narendra Modi ahead of the inauguration of Phase 1 of Noida International Airport in Jewar today. The gesture added a spiritual note to the ceremony before the formal launch of the major infrastructure project.

PM Narendra Modi has arrived on the stage to inaugurate Phase 1 of the Noida International Airport in Jewar today. Yogi Adityanath is also present alongside him, marking the start of the high-profile ceremony for this major infrastructure project.

A major goal is to operate the airport as a net-zero emissions facility. This includes solar energy generation, electric vehicles, and eco-friendly infrastructure, making it a model for sustainable aviation.

Schnellmann aims to make the airport India’s first fully digital aviation hub. The goal is to eliminate physical touchpoints using biometric systems, enhancing speed, convenience, and passenger experience. The airport plans to use DigiYatra for seamless passenger processing. Facial recognition will be used from entry to boarding, reducing wait times and improving efficiency.

Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi told news agency ANI that the inauguration of Noida International Airport by Narendra Modi reflects growing air connectivity across India. He highlighted that new airports are also coming up in Bihar, including Darbhanga and Purnea, extending congratulations to citizens on improving aviation infrastructure nationwide.

“Across the country, air connectivity is increasing under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. In Bihar too, whether it's Darbhanga or Purnea, airports are starting there as well... and new airports are going to be built... congratulations to the people," he said.

Anshuman Magazine of CBRE Group said the Jewar Airport will act as a powerful catalyst for real estate growth across sectors. He noted it will create a new investment corridor, attract institutional capital, and strengthen NCR’s position as a leading hub for economic growth and innovation.

“As a long-term stakeholder in this project and the region, we expect Jewar to accelerate the emergence of a new real estate corridor, attract fresh institutional and corporate investment, and further strengthen NCR’s position as one of Asia’s most dynamic growth and innovation hubs. Infrastructure of this scale has the potential to redraw investment maps and translate into sustained value creation across asset classes over the long term.”

Bob Chi, CEO of Gateway Services at SATS Ltd, called the Noida International Airport launch a remarkable milestone for Narendra Modi. He said the project will position Noida as a global hub, adding that international participation reflects growing global excitement around the development.

“The development of this airport will establish Noida as a reputable hub on the global stage. As a Singaporean company, we are incredibly proud to participate in this historic moment and be part of a project that is drawing global excitement," Chi told ANI.

International operations are expected to begin by mid-2026 or early 2027. This timeline aligns with infrastructure expansion and regulatory approvals required for handling global traffic.

Christoph Schnellmann is leading the project as CEO. His leadership has been central to bringing the airport’s first phase to completion and preparing it for operations. Schnellmann has indicated that operations will begin in a limited manner. Initially, only daytime domestic flights will be operated. This phased rollout allows for smoother transition into full-scale operations.

With this addition, Uttar Pradesh now has five international airports. These include Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport and Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport among others.

Brijesh Narayan Singh, former district collector of Gautam Budh Nagar, told news agency ANI that the Noida International Airport saw one of India’s fastest and most cost-effective land acquisition processes. He highlighted that within two years, the project moved ahead with farmers’ consent, crediting direct outreach and dialogue for building trust and ensuring their crucial participation in the development.

"When the first phase of land acquisition for the Noida International Airport occurred, I was serving as the District Collector. It was the fastest acquisition process in the country and, administratively, the most cost-effective. Within just 2 years, this mega project moved forward with the full consent of the farmers, which is a unique achievement in itself,” he said.

The airport is equipped with advanced Instrument Landing Systems (ILS). These systems ensure safe aircraft operations even during low visibility conditions such as fog, which is common in northern India during winters.

Dr Arun Vir Singh, former CEO of the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) and Noida International Airport Ltd (NIAL), highlighted that Jewar International Airport stands out as a 100% FDI-funded project with a unique per-passenger revenue model. He noted its multi-modal connectivity linking major expressways and rail lines, adding that the project reflects coordinated efforts driven by leadership vision and execution on the ground.

“This airport features multi-modal connectivity, linking the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, the Amritsar-Kolkata line, and the Delhi-Mumbai railway line. It also includes a Ground Transportation Centre (GTC) that is currently under development,” Singh told ANI.

The airport features a 3,900-metre-long runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft such as A380. This allows it to accommodate long-haul international flights, making it suitable for global connectivity in future phases.