- Noida International Airport in Jewar received its aerodrome licence for all-weather operations.
- Security clearance was granted by BCAS after reviewing airport safety and surveillance systems.
- Domestic airlines IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India Express plan to start flights soon.
Noida: Nearly two years after its originally planned launch, the upcoming Noida International Airport in Jewar has cleared its final regulatory hurdle, with the country's aviation regulator granting it an aerodrome licence on Friday.
The approval paves the way for "domestic passenger and cargo flight operations to begin within the next 45 days as mandated under the project plan," said Shailendra Bhatia, nodal officer for the project.
The licence comes just a day after the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) granted the airport mandatory security clearance, following a detailed review of surveillance systems, access control measures, passenger and cargo screening infrastructure and overall security arrangements.
Officials say the airport could now be inaugurated by the end of March. The airport has been licensed under the "Public Use" category for all-weather operations.
"With this, the airport is likely to be inaugurated by the end of March. Dates are being sought from the Prime Minister's Office, and the inauguration may happen any day in March," said Bhatia.
"Security vetting approval means that the airport's security system has been deemed safe for flight operations. After this approval, the final process for starting flights move forward," Bhatia said.
With regulatory approvals now in place, airlines have begun firming up their plans to operate from the airport. Officials said IndiGo, Akasa Air and Air India Express have confirmed their intent to launch services, while discussions are ongoing with other domestic and international carriers.
Talks with air cargo operators are also at an advanced stage, with authorities expecting strong cargo demand from the surrounding industrial region.
According to officials, the aerodrome licence has been issued under Rule 78 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, confirming that the airport meets all regulatory requirements related to operational procedures, safety systems, infrastructure, navigation aids, and emergency response as mandated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
A government statement said, "the aerodrome features a runway with orientation 10/28 measuring 3,900 metres by 45 metres. The runway is equipped with an Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Aeronautical Ground Lighting (AGL), enabling round-the-clock flight operations."
The facility has parking stands for 24 Code C aircraft and two Code D/F aircraft and is equipped with Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Category 9 services, allowing it to handle wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 777-300ER.
However, the airport's opening had earlier been delayed after BCAS raised concerns about certain safety issues during inspections.
Among the concerns flagged was the possibility of interference with the Doppler Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (DVOR), a key navigation aid that provides aircraft with bearing information relative to a ground station.
Officials also objected to a makeshift steel wall constructed near the DVOR installation, warning that it could affect aircraft safety during landing and take-off. The airport operator was asked to replace the temporary structure with a permanent wall.
"While constructing the permanent wall will take a few months, BCAS has granted clearance on the condition that a permanent structure is built within six months," an official said.
The greenfield airport, located in Jewar in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar district, is spread over around 1,300 hectares and is being developed as the National Capital Region's second major airport after Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport.
In its first phase, the airport will operate with one runway and one terminal building and is expected to handle around 12 million passengers annually.
The project was originally scheduled to begin passenger operations in September 2024 but faced multiple delays during the final stages of construction and regulatory clearances.
Noida International Airport is being developed in four phases along with a multi-modal cargo hub. Once fully completed, it is expected to handle up to 70 million passengers annually, positioning it as a major aviation hub for the National Capital Region and western Uttar Pradesh.
The project was awarded in October 2020 to Zurich Airport International AG, which is developing and operating the facility through its Indian subsidiary Yamuna International Airport Private Limited under a 40-year public-private partnership.
On behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government, the project is being overseen by Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL), a state-owned special purpose vehicle.
"Receiving the aerodrome licence is a key milestone in our journey. It reflects the strong collaboration with our partners and the rigorous work undertaken to ensure readiness for commercial operations," Christoph Schnellmann, Chief Executive Officer of Noida International Airport, said in a statement.
The airport's next phase of expansion is also already being planned. Authorities said a second runway and expansion of the terminal are expected within the next five years as part of the Phase-II development plan.
