PM Modi inaugurates Phase I of Noida International Airport at Jewar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Phase I of the Noida International Airport at Jewar in Uttar Pradesh, calling it a major step in strengthening infrastructure and connectivity in the Delhi-NCR region .

The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu and several senior officials. Elaborate security arrangements were made for the prime minister’s visit.

Addressing the gathering, Modi said the airport would play a key role in economic development. “ This modern airport will transform connectivity for Uttar Pradesh and the entire NCR region. Such infrastructure creates new opportunities for employment, trade and tourism ,” he said.

He added that airports serve as engines of growth. “ Airports are not just transport facilities. They become centres of economic activity that accelerate regional development ,” the prime minister said.

The airport becomes the second international airport serving Delhi-NCR after Indira Gandhi International Airport and is expected to significantly reduce congestion at Delhi’s main aviation hub. Since 2014, India has nearly doubled the number of operational airports . According to government and industry data, the number of operational airports in the country has risen from about 74 in 2014 to over 157 by 2024 as part of a broad push to boost connectivity and economic activity across regions. Plans are underway to increase this figure further to between 350 and 400 airports by 2047 to support future growth.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the project reflects India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector. “ The Noida International Airport will strengthen India’s aviation network and emerge as a major logistics and passenger hub for northern India ,” he said.

Developed at an estimated ₹11,200 crore , the first phase of the airport has been designed as a multi-modal transport hub with seamless connectivity through road, rail, metro and regional transport systems .

Officials said the airport includes a multi-modal cargo hub with an initial capacity of over 2.5 lakh metric tonnes annually , expandable to around 18 lakh metric tonnes in later phases. The airport’s initial passenger capacity is 12 million passengers per year , scalable up to 70 million annually as expansion phases are completed.

Commercial flight operations are expected to begin between mid-April and May , with airlines including IndiGo, Akasa Air and Air India planning services from the new airport.

The prime minister also inspected the terminal building and reviewed facilities during his visit.