The Noida International Airport, set to open for commercial operations in April 2025, achieved a significant milestone on Monday with its first flight validation test. The test, conducted under the supervision of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), involved an IndiGo flight that took off from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) and landed at the new airport site in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh.
This flight test is a crucial step toward the airport’s readiness to handle commercial flights. The validation process, which lasted approximately 1.5 hours, involved gathering critical data to assess the airport’s flight operations, including the runway’s performance, airspace coordination, communication protocols, and emergency response systems. The data collected will be reviewed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to ensure that the airport meets all the necessary safety and operational standards.
The Noida International Airport project, being developed by Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd (YIAPL), is progressing well, with over 85% of the first phase already completed. The terminal building is nearing completion, and construction of other key infrastructure, such as the 38-meter-tall Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower, is also finished. The ATC tower’s communication systems were also put to the test during this flight validation.
The first phase of the airport, which will have a capacity to handle 12 million passengers annually, is expected to be completed with an investment of ₹10,056 crore. The entire Noida International Airport project, spanning 1,344 hectares, is being developed in four phases with a total investment of ₹29,650 crore. The airport is expected to play a vital role in improving air connectivity in the National Capital Region (NCR) and enhance the regional economy.
Authorities have indicated that the final step of the flight validation process will be completed by December 15, allowing the airport to apply for an aerodrome license—a crucial prerequisite for commercial operations.
The Noida International Airport will be managed by Zurich International AG for the next 40 years, marking a major advancement in India’s aviation sector. As the countdown to its grand opening in April 2025 continues, the airport is set to become a hub for both domestic and international flights, providing much-needed infrastructure for the rapidly growing region.
The successful validation test is another significant step toward the airport’s commercial launch, and the completion of this phase brings the Noida International Airport closer to becoming a key player in India’s aviation landscape.
Sources By Agencies