If all goes as planned, Noida International Airport might finally become operational in November this year. After multiple missed deadlines, the Noida International Airport in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, is once again in the spotlight. Set to be the National Capital Region's second major airport after Delhi’s IGI, it has faced repeated delays since its foundation stone was laid in November 2021. Now, state officials say the first phase will be completed by November 2025. But is that realistic? Here are five key questions about the project, and what we know so far.
What is the new operational timeline?
The airport’s initial deadline was September 29, 2024. It was then pushed to April 2025, followed by another revision to June 30. As per the latest announcement by Uttar Pradesh’s Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’, the first phase will be fully completed by November 2025. Domestic and cargo operations are expected to begin by mid-September, while international flights could start in November.

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What’s causing the delays?
According to officials, the delays largely stem from the late start of construction, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. While physical work picked up only after 2021, progress on the ground has been uneven. Currently, about 80% of the overall work is complete, with the runway and airside infrastructure over 90% finished. Terminal building interiors and roofing are still under progress.

Adding to the pressure, the Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd (YIAPL), the project concessionaire, is facing a monthly fine of INR 10 lakh from January 1, 2025, for every missed deadline.

What facilities will be available in Phase 1?
The first phase of the INR 29,650-crore mega project will cost INR 10,056 crore. It includes one runway and one terminal, with an annual capacity to handle 12 million passengers. Supporting infrastructure, such as internal roads and a 750-metre interchange connecting the airport to the Yamuna Expressway, is mostly complete. Water and sewage plants, about 40% ready in March, are progressing rapidly. Meanwhile, the Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower and the installation of navigation and communication systems are nearing completion.
What approvals are still pending?
Despite visible progress on-site, the project is not quite ready for takeoff. It still needs crucial clearances:

Aerodrome licence from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

Security clearance from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS)

Without these, no commercial operations , domestic or international, can begin.

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How big will the airport be once fully completed?
The Noida International Airport is being developed in four phases, with full completion expected by 2040. At that point, it is projected to handle up to 70 million passengers annually, making it Asia’s largest and the world’s fourth-largest airport, according to Gupta. Spread over 1,334 hectares, it is set to become a vital aviation hub for western Uttar Pradesh and the NCR region.

While November 2025 is the new target, the project still has several hurdles to clear. With over a decade of planning and frequent delays behind it, only time will tell if this ambitious airport will finally be ready to welcome its first passengers this year.