India set to inaugurate NCR's second largest Noida International Airport in May

New Delhi, India (Urban Transport News): The much-awaited Noida International Airport in Jewar is on track for its grand inauguration in May, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed on Tuesday. The airport, a major infrastructure project for the Uttar Pradesh government, is poised to be the third commercial airport in the National Capital Region (NCR), joining Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Hindon Airport in Ghaziabad.

Minister Naidu, addressing the media, assured that the airport’s inauguration is scheduled for May, despite recent reports suggesting delays in its commercial operations. "We are on track for the inauguration of the Noida airport, and will launch it in May," Naidu stated. His remarks came just days after news surfaced that the airport’s opening, initially slated for April 17, might be postponed due to pending approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which is expected to issue the aerodrome licence by April 30.

Officials familiar with the developments indicated that the airport is undergoing a final inspection by the DGCA for the aerodrome licence, with the expected inauguration date set around May 15. "The AIP (Aeronautical Information Publication) is effective from May 15, meaning the airport can be inaugurated anytime between May 15 and the end of the month," one official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

The AIP serves as the official government declaration for the establishment of an airport, and its publication is a critical step toward receiving the aerodrome licence. The DGCA will also conduct an inspection, followed by a security check by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).

The Noida International Airport, covering 1,334 hectares in Jewar, will serve as a major hub for the region. Located about 35 kilometers from Greater Noida along the Yamuna Expressway, the airport is expected to significantly boost connectivity in the NCR. The project, which began in November 2021, has already completed a key validation flight in December 2024, a vital step in testing the airport’s navigation and air traffic control systems.

While the airport’s airside infrastructure is reportedly ready, construction of the terminal building is running behind schedule. "The airside is complete, but work on the terminal building, particularly the interiors, is still pending," said a second official involved in the project. As a result, regular commercial flights may be delayed beyond the inauguration.

Officials are currently in talks with the government to finalize the exact inauguration date, but despite the delay in starting flight operations, the completion of the Noida International Airport is seen as a significant milestone for the region’s infrastructure and economic growth.