NITN | @notintownlive | 15 Jun 2026, 12:10 pm
Noida International Airport
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Noida International Airport in March. Photo: Noida International Airport/Facebook
Travel enthusiasts can now plan day trips to the iconic Taj Mahal with greater ease, as commercial flight operations have officially begun at Noida International Airport (NIA) in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh.
IndiGo became the first airline to operate from the new airport, with its inaugural flight arriving from Lucknow on Monday morning, followed shortly by a departure to Bengaluru.
The airport was formally inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on March 28, 2026. Since then, it has undergone extensive Operational Readiness, Activation and Transition (ORAT) trials to ensure that all systems, processes, and teams are fully prepared for safe and efficient operations.
In its initial phase, Noida International Airport will handle domestic flights, with international services expected to commence in the coming months.
To facilitate seamless connectivity, passengers will have access to multiple transport options, including airport taxis, app-based cab services, and dedicated bus routes linking Delhi NCR and major cities across North India.
The airport also features a dedicated air cargo terminal developed by Air India SATS (AISATS), with an initial capacity of 200,000 metric tons annually and plans to scale up to 1.5 million tonnes.
Equipped with advanced digital systems, including the IATA-recommended E-Freight platform, the cargo hub aims to enable paperless operations, real-time tracking, and streamlined documentation.
The integrated logistics and warehousing zone is expected to benefit e-commerce companies and freight forwarders by enhancing operational efficiency and strengthening North India’s supply chain network.
Christoph Schnellmann, Vice Chairman of Noida International Airport, said, “Today marks a proud milestone for everyone who has contributed to making Noida International Airport a reality. We are delighted to welcome our first passengers and flight operations. From the outset, our focus has been on combining operational excellence with a strong customer experience. We are pleased to see IndiGo commence operations, and we look forward to offering passengers a smooth and seamless travel experience that reflects the hospitality and character of this region.”
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