The aerodrome licence, which has now been issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of India, allows commercial flight operations and certifies that all legal requirements have been met in terms of operating procedures, safety systems, infrastructure, navigation aids and emergency response. This week (last week), the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) granted final security vetting for domestic passenger operations as well as domestic and international cargo operations. Together, these regulatory approvals represent significant progress in the airport’s readiness to commence operations.
Preparations are currently underway with the central and state government for the official inauguration ceremony and with airport partners for commissioning. Airlines are expected to commence commercial operations within 45 days.
Milestones to date
In December 2024, flights were conducted to test the navigation systems and a validation flight with the first landing of an Airbus A320 took place at the airport. Further calibration flights followed in October 2025. All infrastructures necessary for operation have been created and all relevant contracts have been concluded with partners – including those for taxi services, ground and air cargo handling, in-flight catering, aircraft refuelling, the operation of a hotel as well as catering and commercial areas. The provisional airport charges were also set and the navigation systems were put into operation by the Airport Authority of India.
Airlines and services
The airport will initially serve domestic passenger traffic and cargo flights. International flights are expected to start later in 2026. IndiGo, Akasa Air and Air India Express have all committed to operating flights to and from Noida. Other airlines have expressed interest in launching connections. Negotiations with cargo operators and major logistics companies are well advanced. A high demand for air cargo is expected.
Connectivity to business and tourism regions
The primary access route for passengers to Noida International Airport is the six-lane Yamuna Expressway, which offers a direct link to the Greater Noida Area. Noida, Delhi, Gurugram and major cities in the Western part of Uttar Pradesh are also easily accessible. In addition, travelers can reach popular pilgrimage and tourist destinations such as Agra (home of the Taj Mahal), Mathura and Vrindavan within two hours by road.
About Noida International Airport
In its first phase, Noida International Airport offers capacity to serve 12 million passengers annually with a single runway, passenger terminal and 25 aircraft stands. The development of the airport is structured into four phases over a 40-year concession period, ultimately reaching a capacity of up to 70 million passengers annually and two runways. The concession for Noida International Airport began in 2021. The total investment for Phase 1 amounts to approximately CHF 750 million. With this investment, Zurich Airport Ltd is currently one of the largest Swiss infrastructure investors in India.
About the operator
Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL) was established to develop, construct and operate Noida International Airport. Together with the Government of Uttar Pradesh and the state concession authority Noida International Airport Limited, YIAPL is responsible for delivering this public-private partnership project. The local management team is composed of both Indian and Swiss executives.
YIAPL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG (ZAIA). ZAIA is in turn a 100% subsidiary of Zurich Airport Ltd and is active in the development and operation of airports in Latin America, the Caribbean and India.
‘;