International and domestic routes in the works
Initial discussions indicate that the first international flights from Noida airport are likely to be bound for Singapore, Dubai, and Zurich. Zurich is notably the location of the airport’s concessionaire, which adds significance to the route. On the domestic front, the airport will link Noida with major cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Dehradun, and Hubli.
Arun Vir Singh, CEO of Noida International Airport (NIAL), commented on the status of route planning. “Some airlines have already submitted applications for international routes,” Singh stated, emphasizing that these routes would require approval based on bilateral licensing agreements between the involved nations and airlines.
The process for domestic routes is underway with consultations taking place between the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the airport’s partner airlines, IndiGo and Akasa Air. Singh added, “Specific routes will depend on negotiations with countries, bilateral agreements, and the civil aviation ministry’s consent.”
Delayed start due to key stakeholder meeting
Originally, Noida airport was scheduled to begin operations in September 2023. However, a high-level meeting between stakeholders such as NIAL, Yamuna International Airport (YIAPL), DGCA, and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) resulted in pushing the timeline to April 2024.
Earlier this month, the airport completed the calibration of its Instrument Landing System, a key component for guiding pilots during low-visibility conditions. Following this, a series of trial runs are planned to test the runway over the coming months.
Ticket bookings and aerodrome licensing
Ticket sales for international flights are expected to begin 90 days before the airport’s official opening, while domestic flight bookings will commence six weeks prior to the launch. In December 2023, the airport concessionaire plans to apply for an aerodrome licence, which is anticipated to be approved within 90 days. The licence is likely to be issued by March 2024, just in time for the official opening.
Expansion plans for future phases
The first phase of the Noida international airport, located across 1,334 hectares in Jewar, is designed to handle 12 million passengers annually, manage 1 lakh flights, and transport 2.5 lakh tonnes of cargo. This phase will include a 100,000 square meter terminal building with 28 aircraft stands.
Additionally, the airport’s future expansion plans outline a four-phase project, which will eventually include multiple hubs. The first phase also includes the establishment of a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) hub on 40 acres and a multi-modal cargo hub on 80 acres.
