Noida: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the first phase of the Noida International Airport at Jewar positioning it as a major aviation and logistics hub for north India.
The Prime Minister was joined by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, and Governor Anandiben Patel at the event.
In a symbolic gesture, Modi invited people present at the venue to switch on their mobile flashlights to “inaugurate” the airport, calling it a project belonging to the people. “Today, we are starting a new chapter in the ‘Viksit UP, Viksit Bharat’ campaign. This airport will bring new opportunities and benefit the entire region,” he said.
Developed at a cost of ₹11,282 crore in its first phase, the Noida International Airport is part of a larger project estimated at ₹29,560 crore. The greenfield airport is expected to ease congestion at Indira Gandhi International Airport and significantly boost connectivity across the National Capital Region and western Uttar Pradesh.
The airport will initially handle around 1.2 crore passengers annually, with plans to scale up capacity to nearly 7 crore passengers in subsequent phases. Once fully developed, it is projected to become one of India’s largest airports, with the ability to serve up to 225 million passengers annually.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described the project as a “launchpad” for Uttar Pradesh’s future growth, highlighting its role in attracting investment and generating employment.
Spread over more than 11,700 acres, the airport will feature a 3,900-metre runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft and equipped for low-visibility operations. The project also includes an 87-acre cargo hub and a dedicated maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility, strengthening its position as a key logistics centre.
The airport is expected to begin commercial operations in April 2026, with initial flight services likely to connect major cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Airlines including IndiGo, Akasa Air and Air India Express are expected to lead the first phase of operations.
The project is being developed under a long-term concession agreement with Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG, as part of a phased expansion plan aimed at transforming Jewar into a global aviation hub.
