Noida's Jewar Airport Launch Date Confirmed: First Flights Begin October 30, Connecting 10 Cities

The Noida International Airport at Jewar is set to be inaugurated on October 30, 2025, with commercial operations expected to begin within 45 days. The first phase will connect at least 10 major cities, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu announced.

Speaking at the Yatri Sewa Diwas function at Hindon airport in Ghaziabad, Naidu said,"We are trying to push the inauguration of the Noida airport so that we can see it happen very soon. Right now the date we have decided on is October 30, and within 45 days we can see the operations. The airlines are also excited to operate from Jewar airport, and the area has huge potential. At least 10 cities will be connected in the first phase."

Strategic Role for Cargo and Passenger Operations

Naidu added that the airport will not only improve civil aviation connectivity but will also serve as a major cargo hub.

Spread over 1,334 hectares, the Jewar project will give the National Capital Region (NCR) its second full-fledged commercial airport after Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Phase one includes a single runway and a terminal with 12 million annual passenger capacity, eventually scaling to 70 million across four phases. Officials estimate six million passengers in the first year alone.

Construction has now entered its final phase. The 3,900-metre runway and ATC tower are complete, and the terminal structure is nearly finished. Aerobridges, baggage systems, and e-gates have been installed, and interior works - seating, lighting, toilets, and galleries - are being finalized.

Full readiness is expected by October 2025, after which the DGCA must issue the aerodrome licence.

Airlines and Flight Operations

The airport concessionaire, Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd (YIAPL), confirmed that core infrastructure is ready. Airlines have started tying up with Jewar:

IndiGo is set as the launch carrier, having conducted validation flights in December 2024.

Akasa Air has also committed to building a strong network from Jewar.

Flights to Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata are under discussion for the initial phase.

Delays and Penalties

The project has faced repeated delays, originally targeted for September 2024, then mid-2025. The Uttar Pradesh government imposed a ₹10 lakh daily penalty on the concessionaire from January 2025. With works nearing completion, officials say the project is now on track.

Passenger-Centric Initiatives Across Airports

Naidu also announced upcoming improvements across Indian airports:

Free WiFi for all passengers in the next 1-2 months

Library facilities at airports in 2-3 months

Dedicated kids' zones for family travelers

At Hindon airport, now connected to 16 cities, officials are planning terminal expansion to accommodate growing demand.

First-Phase Connectivity

Phase one of Jewar Airport will connect 10 cities, with Hindon airport continuing to provide additional connectivity across the NCR. The project is expected to boost passenger traffic, cargo operations, and overall regional connectivity.