The Noida International Airport, coming up near Jewar in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddha Nagar district, is set to open soon. Spread across 1,334 hectares, the airport is located approximately 72 km from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, 52 km from Noida, and 130 km from Agra. Developed by Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL)—a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG—under a public-private partnership (PPP), the project involves an investment of INR 5,730 crore.
Here’s an overview of the upcoming airport—ongoing developments, connectivity plans, and what travellers can expect once it opens.
In December 2024, the Noida International Airport successfully conducted its validation flight, marking a major milestone towards operational readiness. Carried out by IndiGo, the flight tested the airport’s approach and departure procedures, navigational aids, and air traffic control systems. This critical step is essential for securing the aerodrome licence and confirmed that all key systems are functioning accurately.
"Noida International Airport (NIA) is steadily advancing toward operational readiness. The successful validation flight marked a key milestone, and we are now working closely with the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on the necessary licensing processes. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is advancing its work in the air traffic control tower, and construction of the passenger terminal and associated infrastructure is progressing steadily," Christoph Schnellmann, CEO of NIA, told Outlook Traveller.
"Noida International Airport is being developed in phases, starting with a single runway and terminal designed to handle 12 million passengers annually. Once fully completed, the airport will have the capacity to accommodate up to 70 million passengers per year," he added.
The Integrated Cargo Terminal (ICT) at the AISATS Multi-Modal Cargo Hub is also nearing completion. With an initial handling capacity of 2,50,000 metric tons, the ICT will manage various cargo types—including pharmaceuticals, perishables, and valuables—supported by cold storage and special handling zones. Advanced systems will boost efficiency, making the hub a key regional economic catalyst.
As per Schnellmann, NIA will combine Indian warmth and hospitality with Swiss technology and efficiency to develop a modern, user-friendly design inspired by India.
"Over the past year, we’ve achieved key milestones, particularly in enhancing the passenger experience at the airport. In collaboration with Travel Food Services (TFS), we are introducing a range of multi-cuisine dining options and a world-class lounge designed with both premium and luxury zones. The lounge will feature live interactive food stations, an extensive buffet spread, an experiential cocktail bar, and a spa offering relaxation services. Thoughtfully designed interiors will reflect sophistication, warmth, and elegance—creating a haven of comfort amidst the bustle of travel. The dedicated “Luxury Zone” will elevate the experience further, offering exclusive amenities for discerning travellers," he said.
HMSHost India will operate a range of restaurants and cafés within the terminal, offering a mix of local and global flavours. Travellers can look forward to a rich culinary experience that reflects the region's diverse food heritage. A key highlight will be "Braj Ki Galiyan," a unique, all-vegetarian restaurant concept created exclusively for the Noida International Airport. Drawing inspiration from cities like Vrindavan and Mathura, it promises a plant-based menu. These outlets aim to offer fresh and affordable dining options with a distinct sense of place.
"Furthermore, the retail and duty-free concession has been awarded to a consortium of Heinemann Asia Pacific and BWC Forwarders, ensuring a world-class shopping environment for our passengers," added Schnellmann.
Lastly, flights from Noida International Airport may be more affordable than those from Delhi’s IGI Airport, thanks to a significant VAT cut on aviation turbine fuel. In December 2024, the Uttar Pradesh government reduced VAT on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) to just one per cent, compared to IGI’s 25 per cent, aiming to make Jewar a competitive aviation hub. This move is expected to lower airline operating costs, potentially resulting in cheaper airfares for passengers.
Sustainability has been a core focus at Noida International Airport from the outset. Environmental impact and sustainable practices were key criteria in selecting the airport’s planning and design teams, construction partners, and concessionaires.
"The airport's planning, construction, operation, and development have all been guided by a commitment to minimising environmental impact. To support this, we are adopting sustainable technologies and practices such as zero-emission fuels, renewable energy sources, efficient wastewater management, and robust environmental management systems," said Schnellmann.
"We have recently joined hands with Mahindra Logistics Mobility to launch a premium, all-electric taxi service. Our ground handling partner will also deploy an electric ground service equipment (GSE) fleet. We’ve partnered with Tata Power to supply solar and wind power for essential dry utilities and smart energy infrastructure to strengthen our clean energy initiatives. Additionally, our collaboration with Statiq will enable a robust airside EV charging network, ensuring smooth operations for electric vehicles. Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) will also develop Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure at the airport," he added.
In February 2025, Noida International Airport signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) to ensure bus connectivity from the airport to major destinations in Uttarakhand. Beginning with the airport's commercial launch, UTC will operate direct bus services to key locations such as Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Haldwani.
Furthermore, reports indicate that Noida Authority has granted in-principle approval for a second expressway connecting Noida and Greater Noida. The decision was made during a recent board meeting following detailed discussions on the project's necessity, design, and alignment. Planned to run alongside the Yamuna River, the new expressway will function as a bypass between the two cities. Two design proposals are under review: an eight-lane at-grade expressway and a six-lane elevated corridor.
According to other reports, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced plans for a 380 km greenfield expressway set to significantly enhance road travel across Uttar Pradesh. The proposed Ghaziabad-Kanpur Expressway will offer a faster and more efficient route connecting Ghaziabad, Noida, and Kanpur. While the current travel time between Ghaziabad and Kanpur is about eight hours, the new expressway is expected to cut it down to just 5.5 hours. Authorities are also considering extending the expressway to NIA to provide direct access to the international hub.
As per several reports from March, the Uttar Pradesh government has instructed the airport concessionaire—Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd (YIAPL)—to accelerate construction so that domestic flight operations can commence between May 15 and 31, followed by international flights between June 15 and 25. The first phase of NIA was originally scheduled to be operational by September 29, 2024, but it was later revised to April 17, 2025. However, this revised deadline also appears likely to be missed.