PM Modi to inaugurate Noida International Airport today. Top 10 things to know about Delhi-NCR’s second aviation hub
The Noida International Airport, inaugurated today by Prime Minister Modi, is set to revolutionize air travel in North India. With a capacity of 12 million passengers and a robust cargo ecosystem, this state-of-the-art facility aims to ease congestion and boost the logistics sector.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today inaugurate the first phase of the Noida International Airport at Jewar, costing ₹11,282 crore. The inauguration is part of a larger project estimated at ₹29,560 crore that aims to position Jewar as a major aviation hub for north India.
The prime minister will also inaugurate the cargo terminal and lay the foundation stone for a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility, aimed at boosting India's aviation infrastructure. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will be present at the event, along with several Union and state ministers.
At around 11:30 AM, PM Modi will undertake a walkthrough of the Terminal Building at Noida International Airport, Jewar, Gautam Buddha Nagar. Thereafter, at around 12 noon, the Prime Minister will inaugurate Phase I of Noida International Airport and address a public gathering on the occasion.
A day before its inauguration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the Noida International Airport will boost commerce and connectivity and ease congestion at the IGI Airport in Delhi.
The prime minister said that the Noida airport is among the key greenfield projects in the nation and, in addition to passenger services, will have a robust cargo ecosystem, thereby boosting the logistics sector.
Here are the top 10 things to know about Noida airport:
1-Noida International Airport is among the largest greenfield airport projects in India. Phase I of Noida International Airport has been developed at a total investment of around ₹11,200 crore under a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model.
2-The government said ₹6,876 crore has been invested by the concessionaire in Phase-1, while ₹4,406 crore has been spent by the state on land acquisition. The first phase, comprising one runway and one terminal, will have an initial annual capacity of 1.2 crore passengers, the statement noted.
3-Once operational, Uttar Pradesh will become the first state in the country to have five international airports, positioning Jewar as a major aviation hub for north India, the statement said.
4-Noida International Airport has been developed as the second international airport for the Delhi NCR region, complementing Indira Gandhi International Airport. Together, the two airports will function as an integrated aviation system, easing congestion, expanding passenger capacity, and positioning Delhi NCR among the world's leading aviation hubs.
5-The airport will initially have a passenger handling capacity of 12 million passengers per annum (MPPA), with scalability up to 70 MPPA upon full development. It features a 3,900-meter runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft, along with modern navigation systems, including an Instrument Landing System (ILS), and advanced airfield lighting to support efficient, all-weather, round-the-clock operations.
6-The cargo terminal, to be inaugurated alongside, will have an initial handling capacity of 2.5 lakh metric tonnes annually, expandable up to 18 lakh metric tonnes. The 40-acre MRO facility is expected to promote domestic aircraft maintenance and enhance self-reliance in the aviation sector.
7-The airport has been designed as a multi-modal transport hub integrating road, rail, metro and regional transit systems, reducing travel time and logistics costs.
8-The terminal design draws inspiration from Indian heritage, featuring elements such as ghats of Varanasi and Haridwar, haveli-style architecture with courtyards, and the use of local materials, art and lattice screens.
9-Noida International Airport CEO Christoph Schnellmann was quoted as saying by news agency PTI that the project will connect the greater Delhi region and western Uttar Pradesh with domestic and global destinations, combining "Swiss efficiency and Indian hospitality".
10-The airport has received its aerodrome licence from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, certifying compliance with safety and operational norms.
(With inputs from agencies and PIB)
- Noida International Airport is a major greenfield project enhancing passenger and cargo capacity in North India.
- It will serve as the second international airport for the Delhi NCR region, easing congestion at Indira Gandhi International Airport.
- The airport's design reflects Indian heritage while integrating modern technology and multi-modal transport systems.
About the Author
Gulam Jeelani is Political Desk Editor at LiveMint with over 16 years of experience covering national and international politics. Based in New Delhi, Jeelani delivers impactful political narratives through breaking stories, in-depth interviews, and analytical pieces at LiveMint since February 2024. The expertise in video production fuels his current responsibilities, which include curating content and conducting video interviews for an expanding digital audience.<br><br> Jeelani also travels during elections and key political events and has covered assembly elections in key states apart from national elections. He has previously worked with The Pioneer, Network18, India Today, News9Plus and Hindustan Times.<br><br> Jeelani’s tenure at LiveMint and previous experience at print and digital newsrooms have honed his skills in creating compelling text and video stories, explainers, and analysis that resonate with a diverse viewership.<br><br> Before moving to New Delhi in 2015, Jeelani was based in Uttar Pradesh, where he worked for five years as a reporter. In 2018, Jeelani was one of the two Indian journalists selected for the Alfred Friendly Fellowship in the US. There, he attended training workshops on reporting and data journalism, and he was attached to the Minneapolis Star Tribune in Minnesota, where he worked as a reporter.<br><br> Jeelani is a Bachelor's in Chemistry and holds a Masters Degree in journalism and mass communication from Aligarh Muslim University. Outside work, he enjoys poetry, cricket and movies.