NOIDA: The Noida International Airport welcomed its first landing on Monday, with an IndiGo flight arriving from Lucknow, according to officials.
The inaugural landing was soon followed by the first takeoff from the newly developed airport, as a flight departed to Lucknow carrying 172 local residents from the Jewar area, whose land was acquired for the first phase of the airport’s development.
With the start of operations at Jewar, the Delhi NCR joins an exclusive list of major global cities with multiple airports.
Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu remarked that a decade ago, such an achievement seemed unattainable, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making it a reality. He emphasized the importance of a robust transport network for India’s aspirations to become a developed nation.
Modi laid the foundation stone for the airport on November 25, 2021, and it was inaugurated on March 28, 2026.
“We envision Noida International Airport as more than just a transit hub; we aim for it to evolve into an aerotropolis, attracting multiple industries to create a robust economic foundation that serves both national and international needs,” Naidu stated.
IndiGo flight 6E 2278 departed from Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow at 7:12 AM and arrived at Noida International Airport at 7:58 AM, according to airport officials. This marks the launch of flight services at the Jewar-based airport, a significant project designed to enhance air connectivity between western Uttar Pradesh, the National Capital Region, and beyond.
The first return flight took off around 8:10 AM, carrying passengers including Jewar MLA Dhirendra Singh and various officials from the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority.
Officials noted that the new air connectivity is poised to benefit business travelers, students, professionals, and other passengers, providing an additional travel option and aiding regional development. The airport has been designed as a multimodal transport hub, ensuring connectivity through air, road, and other forms of transport.
In a statement, Aloke Singh, IndiGo’s Chief Strategy Officer, referred to the airport’s opening as a pivotal chapter in India’s aviation narrative. “For IndiGo, serving as the launch carrier at NIA signifies more than a commercial achievement; it’s a commitment to western Uttar Pradesh, the broader Delhi NCR, and the millions of travelers for whom this new gateway opens up fresh opportunities. We are proud to be here from day one,” Singh expressed.
NIA Vice Chairman Christoph Schnellmann added that IndiGo, as the launch carrier, aims to connect NIA with key destinations across India, enhancing passenger choice and convenience from the outset. “We look forward to partnering closely with IndiGo to provide a seamless travel experience and support the ongoing growth of aviation, trade, and tourism in the region,” he said.
