Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Monday, 9 March, handed over the aerodrome licence issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to Noida International Airport in Uttar Pradesh’s Jewar, marking a key step as the greenfield airport moves closer to the start of commercial operations.
During the interaction, the minister also discussed expediting of the remaining process by the airport operator, the Civil Aviation Ministry said in a statement.
The DGCA issued the aerodrome licence to the Noida airport earlier last week.
The aerodrome licence was issued under Rule 78 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 and certifies that the airport meets all regulatory requirements related to operational procedures, safety systems, infrastructure, navigation aids, and emergency response as mandated by DGCA’s Civil Aviation Requirements.
The development follows the recent approval from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which granted final security vetting for domestic passenger operations as well as domestic and international cargo operations.
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However, commercial flight operations will begin after approval of the Aerodrome Security Programme, which is currently under review with the BCAS.
Once this approval is received, the Noida International Airport will coordinate with all partners to plan the formal inauguration and commencement of commercial operations.
A key milestone in the airport’s operational journey was achieved in December 2024, with the successful validation flight operated by IndiGo using an Airbus A320.
The flight validated the airport’s approach procedures, navigational aids, and air traffic control systems, confirming its readiness to support aircraft operations.
According to a statement by NIAL on 6 March, IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India Express have confirmed operations from the airport, alongside ongoing discussions with other domestic and international carriers.
Discussions with air cargo operators are at an advanced stage, the NIAL said.
Noida International Airport is being developed in phases. In the first phase, with one runway and one passenger terminal, the airport will have the capacity to handle around 12 million passengers annually.
Upon completion of the fourth phase, the airport is planned to handle up to 70 million passengers annually, positioning it as a major aviation hub for the Delhi–NCR region and western Uttar Pradesh.
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