Noida International Airport began commercial operations on Monday when an IndiGo flight arrived from Lucknow and a scheduled return departed later the same morning. Airport officials said IndiGo flight 6E 2278 departed Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, Lucknow, at 7.12 am and landed at Noida International Airport at 7.58 am before taking off for Lucknow at about 8.19 am. The arrivals marked the commencement of flight operations at the greenfield facility at Jewar in Uttar Pradesh. The departure included a special complement of residents whose land was acquired for the first phase of development as well as regional political and administrative figures, and officials noted the presence of the Jewar legislator and senior executives of the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority. The minister for civil aviation met the farmers and their families before the inaugural sector flight, and officials said the farmers had been invited to acknowledge their contribution to the project. Authorities also said operations for four destinations would begin from the facility on the same day and that services to Bengaluru were scheduled. Officials described the airport as a multimodal transport hub intended to enhance air, road and logistics connectivity across western Uttar Pradesh and the National Capital Region. The minister outlined phased expansion plans, noting an initial capacity of 12 million (mn) passengers per year and an ultimate target of 70 mn passengers by the fourth phase. Authorities expect the new connectivity to provide additional travel options for business travellers, students, professionals and other passengers while supporting regional economic development. Developers emphasised the symbolic significance of the first commercial flight for local communities as agricultural land gave way to an aviation and logistics hub. Around 170 farmers, including 20 women, were part of the delegation travelling on the inaugural flight and were due to meet the state chief minister in Lucknow in recognition of the project. Officials indicated the facility will grow in capacity and connectivity in stages to accommodate rising demand.