Noida International Airport, a flagship infrastructure project in Uttar Pradesh, has missed yet another critical deadline, failing to meet its May 15 target for commencing operations.
This marks the third time the airport’s launch date has been postponed, with sources indicating that even a partial opening is unlikely in the next two months due to significant pending work and regulatory clearances. Planned as a greenfield facility to ease air traffic pressure from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, the project was originally scheduled for completion by September 29, 2024. Since then, the timeline has seen multiple revisions—first to April 17, 2025, then further shortened with aggressive targets for domestic flights by May 15 and international services by June 25 this year. However, as of March 10, only 80% of overall construction had been completed, and several critical infrastructure components remain behind schedule.
The Uttar Pradesh government has intensified scrutiny of the project, imposing a daily penalty of ₹10 lakh on the concessionaire, Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL), since January 1 for delays. The state’s Chief Secretary, Manoj Kumar Singh, recently inspected the site in Jewar, directing stakeholders including YIAPL, Tata Projects, and Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL) to accelerate the remaining work. A revised project report and completion timeline are expected within 15 days. Despite considerable progress on the airside infrastructure, which includes the runway and taxiways reported to be 90% complete, construction of the terminal building remains a bottleneck. Roofing and interior works are still ongoing. Moreover, key utility systems like the water and sewage treatment plants lag significantly, with only 40% completion. These are essential to secure final clearances from aviation and environmental regulators.
From a regulatory standpoint, the project is awaiting several key permissions. The aerodrome licence from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is still pending, while the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has only committed to limited Air Traffic Control (ATC) functionality post-April 30. Security protocols reviewed by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) also flagged deficiencies in critical contingency plans, with a clearance timeline of at least 45 days post-compliance. In light of these challenges, authorities are exploring a phased rollout model. The DGCA has proposed three options: commencing cargo operations alone by May 15, beginning limited domestic passenger services with a partially completed terminal, or waiting for full Phase 1 readiness. Given the current state of construction, the phased model—starting with cargo and domestic flights—appears the most feasible.
The Noida airport project, often promoted as a cornerstone of Uttar Pradesh’s infrastructure modernisation and investment strategy, is being developed with sustainability at its core. It aims to be India’s first net zero emission airport by design, using renewable energy and green building techniques. However, the repeated delays raise concerns not only about execution capability but also about missed economic and environmental opportunities. As India expands its aviation infrastructure to meet growing demand, the Noida airport’s experience underscores the importance of aligning construction, compliance, and stakeholder coordination under tight timelines. For now, the region’s residents and businesses will have to wait a little longer for a project that promises to reshape Western Uttar Pradesh’s connectivity landscape.
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