The long wait around Noida’s new airport has finally ended, at least on paper. The real test begins now. After repeated delays, questions shift from inauguration to something more practical. When will passengers actually be able to board a flight from here?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first phase of the Noida International Airport in Jewar on Saturday. Officials describe it as a future aviation hub that will eventually handle up to 225 million passengers annually, making it one of the largest airports in India once fully complete.
The airport aims to serve not just Noida but a wider belt that includes Meerut, Ghaziabad, Mathura, and Agra. It is expected to ease pressure on Delhi’s existing airport while improving access to key religious and tourist destinations across western Uttar Pradesh.
Even so, the inauguration does not mean flights will begin immediately. The runway is ready, but passengers will still need to wait a little longer.
The airport recently secured its aerodrome licence from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, clearing a major regulatory hurdle. With that approval in place, the project timeline suggests that domestic and cargo operations could begin within 45 days.
If that schedule holds, commercial flights may start between mid-April and May 2026. This marks yet another shift in a timeline that has already seen multiple revisions. The airport was initially slated to open in September 2024, then moved to 2025, before landing in early 2026.
International operations will take longer. Officials have earlier indicated a possible start around September this year. Ticket bookings are expected to open in phases, with domestic flights available about six weeks before launch and international routes opening roughly three months in advance.
Authorities have not released a final list of routes or confirmed flight numbers for the opening phase. However, earlier plans give a fair idea of what to expect.
Domestic services will likely come first, connecting major metro cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, along with other regional destinations. These routes will help establish the airport’s initial network before scaling up.
Previous projections had also included a small number of international routes, with cities like Zurich, Singapore, and Dubai in the mix. Whether these will feature in the first wave remains unclear.
For now, the airport has crossed a symbolic milestone. The next few weeks will determine whether it can move from promise to routine departures and arrivals, something travellers in the region have been waiting on for years.
(With inputs from various sources)
1. Is Noida International Airport open?
Yes, the first phase of Noida International Airport in Jewar has been inaugurated and is officially open.
2. When will flights start from Noida Airport?
Domestic and cargo operations are expected to begin between mid-April and May 2026, subject to final preparations.
3. When will international flights start from Jewar Airport?
International operations are likely to begin later, possibly around September 2026.
4. Which routes will start first from Noida Airport?
Initial domestic routes may include major cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, with international routes added later.
5. How will Noida Airport benefit travellers?
The airport will ease congestion at Delhi’s existing airport and improve connectivity across western Uttar Pradesh and nearby regions.