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India’s aviation map is about to get a new landmark. The Noida International Airport (DXN) at Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, is preparing to open its runways to the public this December, becoming the National Capital Region’s second major aviation hub after Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.
The airport’s rollout will begin modestly, with domestic operations only before expanding to international routes in the first half of 2026. According to CEO Christoph Schnellmann, this phased approach ensures stability and safety during the initial months. “We will begin with domestic flights and a daytime schedule. Once systems prove reliable, we’ll move to 24-hour operations and add international services,” he said.
Final Checks Before Take-off
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has started calibration flights to test air navigation systems, runway lighting, and safety protocols, one of the final steps before the airport receives its operational license. Once approved, commercial flights can begin, bringing the long-awaited project closer to reality.
The first phase will see services by IndiGo, Air India Express, and Akasa Air. Air traffic control will be managed by the Airports Authority of India, under DGCA supervision. Initially, the airport will operate limited daytime flights before expanding to full-day and night schedules after technical verifications.
Schnellmann explained that this deliberate pace is guided by the Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) framework, an international standard followed by major airports worldwide. It allows airport systems, staff, and procedures to be tested under real conditions before scaling up to full operations.
A Phased Model for Growth
Noida International Airport is following a model similar to other new airports in India. Goa’s Mopa Airport, for instance, launched domestic flights in early 2023 and added international routes six months later. Navi Mumbai International Airport is also expected to begin with a smaller schedule before doubling its capacity within months of opening.
This approach helps minimize risks and ensures that both passenger experience and safety standards are met from the outset. Schnellmann emphasized that reliability will take precedence over speed during the early stages.
Expanding North India’s Aviation Reach
Once international services begin in 2026, the airport is expected to significantly ease the passenger load on Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. The first terminal alone is designed to handle up to 12 million passengers annually, with projections of serving about 6 million travelers in its first year.
The airport’s modular design allows it to expand quickly as demand rises. “We expect to reach full terminal capacity within a few years,” Schnellmann said, pointing to India’s rapidly growing appetite for air travel.
Strategically located near the Yamuna Expressway, Noida International Airport aims to serve passengers from Noida, Greater Noida, Aligarh, Mathura, and Agra, making it a regional gateway for both business and tourism.
A Step Toward India’s Aviation Future
Developed as a public-private partnership between Zurich Airport International and the Uttar Pradesh government, the project underscores India’s focus on building next-generation transport infrastructure. Beyond easing congestion in Delhi, it is expected to create thousands of jobs and stimulate regional economic growth through improved connectivity.
When it opens later this year, Noida International Airport will not only give the National Capital Region a second major aviation hub but also signal a new phase in India’s aviation expansion, one that is designed for scalability, sustainability, and speed of growth.
