Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Noida International Airport in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, in April 2025, announced Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on December 20, 2024. Speaking during an event with farmers who contributed land for the project, CM Yogi declared the airport as Asia’s largest, covering 1,334 hectares along the Yamuna Expressway.
This flagship project of the Uttar Pradesh government will become the second major airport in the National Capital Region (NCR), after Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. Designed to serve as a global gateway, the airport is expected to bring unprecedented economic growth to Jewar and its surroundings.
Validation Flight: A Milestone Achievement
On December 9, 2024, an Airbus A320 successfully completed a validation flight from Delhi’s IGI Airport to Noida International Airport. This test ensured the functionality of navigational aids, air traffic control systems, and approach procedures, paving the way for commercial operations in April 2025.
CM Yogi emphasized the transformative potential of the airport, highlighting its world-class infrastructure. By 2040, the airport will have the capacity to handle 70 million passengers annually, making it a top contender among global airports.
Infrastructure and Investment
The airport will feature eight runways upon completion, making it twice the size of Delhi Airport. The construction, undertaken by Yamuna International Airport Private Limited, a subsidiary of Zurich International Airport AG, is part of a public-private partnership with the Uttar Pradesh government. The total project cost is estimated at Rs 29,650 crore, with the first phase requiring an investment of Rs 10,056 crore to serve 12 million passengers annually. Zurich International will manage the airport’s operations for the next 40 years.
Farmer-Centric Development
CM Yogi praised Jewar’s farmers for their cooperation, announcing increased compensation for land acquisition in the third phase, from Rs 3,100 to Rs 4,300 per square meter. He assured fair interest payments, rehabilitation, and employment opportunities for affected farmers, cementing their vital role in the project’s success.
Conclusion
Noida International Airport is set to revolutionize connectivity and economic growth in Uttar Pradesh. With cutting-edge infrastructure and ambitious capacity targets, the airport promises to elevate Jewar to a global economic hub.
