News Brief
Noida International Airport. (X)
The highly anticipated landing trial at Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL) in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, has been rescheduled to the last week of November.
Initially planned for this Friday (14 November), the delay marks a slight adjustment in the airport's preparation timeline as it nears full operational readiness.
A senior NIAL official confirmed the postponement, stating, “The trial will take place in the last week of November. We have no additional details at this time.” The trial is critical for assessing the airport's runway, Instrument Landing System (ILS), and other essential infrastructure.
The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has already approved the runway, ILS, and calibration flight, according to officials. The one-day trial will generate data to be submitted to the DGCA as part of the airport's aerodrome licensing application, reports Indian Express.
Arun Veer Singh, CEO of NIAL, had previously announced the start of the second phase of trial operations on 15 November. This phase involves daily trial flights by airlines such as Akasa, IndiGo, and potentially Air India. These operations will continue until 15 December, allowing further testing of the airport's facilities and processes.
Jewar Airport
Estimated to cost Rs 5,700 crore, the first phase of the airport, spanning 1,334 hectares, will initially feature one runway and terminal, capable of handling 12 million passengers annually.
Looking ahead, subsequent phases are anticipated to expand the airport's capacity to accommodate 70 million passengers across two runways and terminals, with the entire project estimated to cost Rs 29,561 crore.
The first expansion of the airport — construction of the second runway and the terminal building — will start once it reaches 80 per cent of the 12 million passengers per year capacity.
Similarly, the development of the third, fourth and fifth runways will begin when footfall increases from 12 million to 30 million, 50 million, and 70 million, respectively.