Asia's Largest Airport in Jewar: PM Modi to Launch Noida International Airport by April 2025

The Noida International Airport in Jewar, set to become Asia’s largest airport, is set for its grand inauguration in April 2025 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Announcing this significant development, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the transformative potential of this flagship project during an interaction in Lucknow with farmers who contributed land for its construction.

Key Highlights of the Airport Project

Strategic Location and Capacity

Spanning 1,334 hectares, the Noida International Airport will be located along the Yamuna Expressway, providing a crucial boost to connectivity in the National Capital Region (NCR). This state-of-the-art facility will complement the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, becoming the second major airport serving the region. By 2040, the airport is expected to handle up to 70 million passengers annually, making it a global hub for air traffic.

Validation Flight 

A significant milestone was reached on December 9, 2024, when an Airbus A320 from Delhi’s IGI Airport successfully landed at the Noida International Airport. This validation flight was conducted to test approach procedures, navigational aids, and air traffic control systems. Reflecting on this achievement, CM Adityanath emphasized the airport’s potential to bring “unprecedented prosperity” to the region.

Transformative Impact

Economic Growth

According to CM Adityanath, the airport’s completion will not only connect Uttar Pradesh to the global market but also position Jewar as a focal point of economic and industrial activities. With its world-class infrastructure, the airport aims to secure a place among the top airports globally, enhancing the region’s global competitiveness.

Employment and Farmer Rehabilitation

The Chief Minister acknowledged the vital role played by farmers in the project’s execution, announcing increased compensation for land acquired in the third phase. Compensation rates were raised from Rs 3,100 to Rs 4,300 per square meter, addressing earlier concerns of “inadequate compensation” raised by farmer groups in Gautam Budh Nagar. Assurances were also provided regarding interest payments, rehabilitation measures, and employment opportunities for the affected farmers.

“The farmers of Jewar have set an example of trust and cooperation,” CM Adityanath stated, praising their contribution to this transformative project.

Project Phases and Investment

The Noida International Airport is being developed under a public-private partnership between the Uttar Pradesh government and Yamuna International Airport Private Limited, a subsidiary of Zurich International Airport AG. The project is divided into four phases, with a total estimated cost of Rs 29,650 crore. The first phase, involving an investment of Rs 10,056 crore, aims to serve 12 million passengers annually. Zurich International Airport AG will oversee the airport’s operations for 40 years, ensuring its sustained development.

The airport’s successful launch is expected to have wide-ranging benefits for Uttar Pradesh and the NCR. It will not only ease congestion at Delhi’s IGI Airport but also promote industrial growth and attract investments in the region. As a flagship project of the Uttar Pradesh government, it symbolizes the state’s commitment to infrastructure development and economic modernization.