PM Modi inaugurates Noida International Airport, Delhi-NCR’s second international airport at Jewar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Phase I of Noida International Airport (NIA) in Jewar, marking the opening of the National Capital Region's second international airport and one of India's most significant greenfield aviation projects in recent years.

Inaugurating the airport, PM Modi said, "the airport is going to be North India's logistic gateway."

Hailing the Noida International Airport and its potential for the development of the state, UP CM Yogi Adityanath said the airport will be ‘a launchpad’ of UP's bright future.


Phase I of the airport has been developed at a total investment of around Rs 11,282 crore, of which Rs 6,876 crore was invested by the concessionaire and Rs 4,406 crore spent by the state government on land acquisition.

The airport is being developed across four phases at an estimated total cost of Rs 29,560 crore. It is developed and operated by Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL), a 100% subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG, in partnership with the governments of Uttar Pradesh and India. The terminal was designed by a consortium of Nordic, Grimshaw, Haptic, and STUP, with Tata Projects Ltd as the EPC contractor.

Modi also inaugurated the cargo terminal and laid the foundation stone for a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the airport. The proposed 40-acre MRO facility is expected to strengthen domestic aircraft maintenance capabilities.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hailed the inauguration as a pivotal moment for the state. "The developmental journey of the 'New Uttar Pradesh' within the 'New India' is poised to touch yet another golden pinnacle today," he posted on X, calling the airport "the runway for the development of Uttar Pradesh." He added that the dreams of the youth would take flight from here, and paid special tribute to farmers whose land acquisition made the project possible.

Here’s everything you need to know about the newly opened Noida International Airport

NIA carries IATA code DXN and is designed to complement Indira Gandhi International Airport, with both functioning as an integrated aviation system for the NCR. In its first phase, the airport has one runway and one terminal with a capacity to handle 12 million passengers annually. The cargo terminal will initially handle 2.5 lakh metric tonnes annually, expandable to 18 lakh metric tonnes.

A four-phase masterplan will eventually scale passenger capacity to 70 million per year. Once fully operational, it is set to make Uttar Pradesh the first state in India to have five international airports.


Also Read: Noida International Airport: Here’s everything you need to know about India’s newest international airport

IndiGo, the airport's launch carrier, Akasa Air, and Air India Express have all confirmed operations. The initial network is expected to connect Noida with Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow, and Dehradun. The airport received its aerodrome license from the DGCA on March 6, 2026, and the CISF took charge of aviation security in September 2025.

When will the new airport be operational?

Despite today's inauguration, commercial flight operations are likely to begin only in May. Two regulatory steps remain before airlines can open bookings.

The Aerodrome Security Programme (ASP) certification by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security is still pending, this is the airport's core security framework governing everything from entry gate checks to boarding. Shailendra Bhatia, nodal officer for Noida International Airport Ltd, said once ASP is approved, operations can begin within 30 to 35 days. The airport's tariff is also pending finalisation.


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The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority held a stakeholder consultation on March 23 and has invited feedback till April 17. Only after the tariff is finalised can airlines formally publish routes and open ticket sales.

On the passenger experience front, Bird Group was awarded ground handling, TajSATS will operate the inflight kitchen, Travel Food Services holds concessions for a lounge and multicuisine F&B, and retail and duty-free operations were awarded to a consortium of Heinemann and BWC.

Roseate Hotels and Resorts will run the airport hotel. The Siemens VarioTray system will handle baggage, and technology partners include SITA, Amadeus, Kyndryl, and Tech Mahindra.

How do you reach the Noida Airport?

NIA is directly connected to the six-lane Yamuna Expressway, with Agra, Mathura, and Vrindavan accessible within two hours. For last-mile travel, the airport has partnered with Uber and Rapido, while UPSRTC bus routes connect over 25 cities across UP and neighbouring states.

Bus services also run to Gurgaon, Faridabad, Chandigarh, Panipat, Ambala, Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Haldwani. Mahindra Logistics Mobility will run a premium all-electric taxi service from the airport.


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The airport is also envisioned as a multi-modal transport hub integrating road, rail, and metro networks.

NIA became India's first large-scale infrastructure project to use low-carbon LC3 (Limestone Calcined Clay) cement in its construction.

Tata Power has been signed on for solar and wind power supply, and Statiq will manage airside EV charging infrastructure.

The airport has committed to a net-zero emissions goal backed by sustainable design and operational principles.

With inputs from wires