The Noida International Airport (NIA), a new greenfield aviation hub in Jewar, Gautam Buddha Nagar, is set to commence operations by the end of this year. Developed under a public-private partnership with Yamuna International Airport Private Limited, it will become the National Capital Region’s second international facility after Delhi’s IGIA.

Located around 75 km from New Delhi, NIA is expected to emerge as a key node in the region’s air connectivity and logistics network. Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu confirmed that the airport will be inaugurated on 30th October 2025, with flight operations beginning within 45 days. Initially, the airport will serve ten routes.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reiterated that commercial flight operations are expected to commence by the end of 2025. Once fully developed before 2050, NIA is projected to become India’s largest airport. The project, launched in 2019 and overcoming delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was originally scheduled to start operations in September 2024.

The airport is being developed in four phases. Phase 1 has completed key aeronautical infrastructure, including one runway and one passenger terminal capable of handling 12 million passengers annually. Upon completion, the airport will have a capacity of 70 million passengers per year.

The final requirement before operations begin is obtaining an aerodrome licence from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). NIA is currently conducting an extensive Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) programme to ensure a smooth and safe launch. Flight operations will begin in close coordination with airlines and other stakeholders once the licence is granted.

The project has already generated significant employment, with nearly 9,000 workers currently on-site, and thousands more expected as construction progresses across subsequent phases.