The Uttar Pradesh cabinet has approved a proposal to rename Noida International Airport in Jewar as Narendra Modi International Airport, a move announced by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after a cabinet meeting chaired by him on Friday.
The airport, located in Gautam Buddh Nagar district, is being developed as a greenfield aviation facility for Noida, Greater Noida and other parts of western Uttar Pradesh. Its first phase has been designed to handle about 12 million passengers annually.
The proposed name change comes as the airport prepares to take on a larger role in meeting aviation demand across the National Capital Region. It is expected to complement Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport by distributing passenger traffic across the region and improving access for travellers from Noida, Greater Noida, Delhi and neighbouring districts.
The project is spread across more than 1,300 hectares and is also planned to support cargo operations, attract investment and generate employment as its capacity expands. Its eventual impact will depend not only on the airport’s passenger services but also on the transport infrastructure connecting it to the wider NCR.
A ground transportation centre is being developed to facilitate movement between the airport and different parts of the region. The planned transport links include metro connectivity, high-speed rail, bus services, taxis and parking facilities for private vehicles. Road and rail access will be important in determining how easily passengers from Delhi and surrounding districts can reach the airport.
Plans also envisage a link with the proposed Delhi-Varanasi high-speed rail corridor. The implementation of that connection, however, will depend on the further development of the rail project and related infrastructure.
The airport’s development plan includes environmental measures aimed at reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency. The project has stated an ambition of achieving net-zero emissions, although the source report does not provide details of the specific measures, timelines or monitoring framework involved.
The cabinet approval marks a key step in the proposed change of name, while the airport’s broader development remains tied to the expansion of passenger and cargo services, supporting commercial activity and the delivery of its planned transport connections. The facility is expected to become an important aviation and economic hub for Uttar Pradesh as these components are implemented.
