Noida International Airport Nears Completion, Trial Flights By June-July

The construction of the runway for Noida International Airport is on track to be finished this month, with trial flights anticipated to commence as early as June or July.

Officials from the Noida Airport Authority Ltd (NIAL), the government's dedicated entity overseeing the project, revealed these updates during a recent meeting held in Lucknow.

The greenfield airport at Jewar in Gautam Buddha Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh, is being developed to enhance domestic, as well as international connectivity to and from Delhi-National Capital Region, Noida and western Uttar Pradesh.

The airport — billed to be India's largest upon completion — is being developed by Yamuna International Airport Private Limited, a fully-owned subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG, in partnership with the state government.

As per officials, significant progress has been made, with 75 per cent of the total project now complete. Out of the allocated budget of Rs 10,056 crore for the first phase, Rs 7,371 crore has already been expended, which includes compensation payments totalling Rs 4,362 crore disbursed to landowners.

The runway, spanning 3,900 metres, is nearing completion, awaiting only the final layer of asphalt, scheduled to be laid this month. The installation of essential equipment for flight operations, such as reflectors, signage, navigation, and surveillance systems, is being overseen by the Airports Authority of India.

Upon completion, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation will assume control of the runway, paving the way for trial flights by June or July, as confirmed by Arun Vir Singh, the CEO of NIAL, reports Hindustan Times.

Progress on the air traffic control tower is also advancing swiftly, with civil work concluded and the installation of the glass facade underway, Singh further noted. Additionally, necessary equipment for flight operations, including the instrument landing system and distance-measuring devices, is expected to be installed within a month.

Despite some elements like radar installations possibly extending to October, Singh expressed confidence in meeting the airport's completion deadline of 29 September.

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. Commercial operations are scheduled to commence with 65 daily flights, including domestic, foreign, and cargo services.

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.