India's aviation regulator has granted an aerodrome licence to the upcoming Noida International Airport at Jewar, clearing a critical regulatory hurdle and paving the way for flight operations at the long-awaited project.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued the licence to Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL), the company developing and operating the airport, certifying that the facility meets the regulator's safety and operational standards.
The airport has been approved under the "Public Use" category for all-weather operations, allowing it to handle commercial passenger and cargo flights around the clock.
The development marks a major milestone for the greenfield airport project in Gautam Budh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh, which is expected to become the second major aviation hub serving the National Capital Region (NCR).
The aerodrome licence effectively clears the airport for operational readiness after it completed a series of inspections and safety assessments.
According to a government statement cited by Hindustan Times, the approval confirms that the airport complies with the technical and operational requirements prescribed by the DGCA.
The licence comes shortly after the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) granted mandatory security clearance following detailed inspections of the airport's infrastructure and surveillance systems.
Officials said the BCAS team evaluated security arrangements including passenger and cargo screening systems, access controls, and surveillance infrastructure before issuing its approval.
With this clearance, the final process for starting flight operations can move forward, aviation officials familiar with the development told Hindustan Times.
Authorities are now preparing for the airport's inauguration, which officials indicated could take place later this month pending final scheduling.
Infrastructure and capacity
The first phase of Noida International Airport is designed to handle around 12 million passengers annually with a 3,900-metre runway.
The first phase of Noida International Airport has been designed to handle around 12 million passengers annually, according to the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
The aerodrome features a 3,900-metre runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft, supported by an Instrument Landing System and Aeronautical Ground Lighting, enabling safe operations even in low visibility conditions.
The airport includes parking stands for 24 Code C aircraft and two Code D or F aircraft, allowing it to accommodate large wide-body jets such as the Boeing 777-300ER.
It is also equipped with Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Category 9 facilities, meeting international safety requirements for major commercial airports.
In the longer term, the airport is planned as a multi-phase development with expanded passenger terminals, additional runways and a large cargo hub.
Once all phases are completed, the airport is expected to handle up to 70 million passengers annually, according to the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Strategic aviation hub
Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu described the licensing of the airport as a significant step in strengthening aviation connectivity for the National Capital Region and western Uttar Pradesh.
The new airport is expected to ease congestion at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, currently the busiest airport in the country.
Officials have also positioned the project as a catalyst for economic development in the region. According to the ministry, the airport is expected to support tourism, trade, logistics and regional investment while improving connectivity to growing urban centres in Uttar Pradesh.
The project is being developed as a public-private partnership led by Zurich Airport International AG through its Indian subsidiary Yamuna International Airport Private Limited.
The Swiss airport operator secured the concession to build and run the airport in 2020 under a 40-year agreement with the Uttar Pradesh government.
A long-delayed project
The airport project faced multiple delays since its initial September 2024 launch target before finally receiving DGCA clearance.
The airport project has faced multiple delays since construction began.
Authorities had initially targeted an operational launch in September 2024, but regulatory approvals and infrastructure readiness pushed back the timeline.
According to Hindustan Times, officials recently addressed several issues raised during inspections, including concerns related to navigation infrastructure and surrounding structures that could interfere with aviation systems.
Security authorities had also required improvements to perimeter infrastructure before granting clearance.
Officials involved in the project said most of the issues have now been resolved, allowing the regulator to grant the aerodrome licence.
Part of India's aviation expansion
The launch of Noida International Airport comes as India rapidly expands its aviation infrastructure to accommodate rising passenger demand.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has said the government is pursuing a dual strategy of building new greenfield airports while upgrading existing brownfield facilities.
This approach is supported by programmes such as the UDAN regional connectivity scheme, which aims to expand air travel to smaller cities and underserved regions.
Government officials have outlined an ambitious long-term roadmap to develop more than 400 airports across India by 2047, significantly expanding the country's aviation network.
The addition of Noida International Airport is expected to play a central role in that strategy, particularly as air traffic in the Delhi metropolitan region continues to grow.
Looking ahead
India is pursuing a roadmap to develop more than 400 airports by 2047 as part of its aviation expansion strategy.
With regulatory approvals now in place, attention is turning to the operational rollout of the airport.
Airlines are expected to begin announcing routes and flight schedules once the inauguration date is confirmed.
Industry observers say the airport could reshape aviation traffic flows across northern India by offering additional capacity in one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets.
For India's aviation sector, the aerodrome licence represents more than a procedural approval. It signals that the long-anticipated second airport for the National Capital Region is finally ready to take flight.
Join the conversation
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts!
Sign In to Comment