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NOIDA: Following the successful completion of calibration tests at Noida International Airport, officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are scheduled to meet with the UP civil aviation department on Thursday. The purpose of the meeting is to assess the airport’s readiness for an aerodrome license and to identify any outstanding requirements.
The aerodrome license will facilitate the initiation of commercial flight operations, which are anticipated to commence in December.
Essential criteria under the aerodrome manual for obtaining an aerodrome license involve certified runway strength, appropriate safety areas, functional taxiways and aprons, as well as necessary lighting and navigational aids. Airports must also demonstrate operational readiness with trained personnel, an accountable manager, adequate fire and rescue services, emergency protocols, wildlife management, and robust ground-handling and security systems prior to final inspections and calibration tests.
On November 4, DGCA completed the second round of calibration tests, following the initial test on October 31. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) approved the airport’s security preparations on September 15, while the Airports Authority of India oversaw the setup of communication, navigation, and surveillance/air traffic management systems.
According to officials, construction of the passenger terminal roof has been completed, and technical trials are currently underway. A full Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) program—which includes system checks, simulations, and stakeholder training—is being conducted, covering areas such as baggage handling, security systems, check-in counters, and boarding gates.
With only the DGCA license pending, Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL) has previously informed the civil aviation ministry of its expectation to begin flights in December.
On Wednesday, CEO RK Singh confirmed to TOI that additional chief secretary (civil aviation) Deepak Kumar and DGCA representatives will attend the review on Thursday, accompanied by officials from BCAS, Tata Projects, and other stakeholders. “The details surrounding the aerodrome license will be thoroughly discussed,” he said.
Officials stated that flight schedules will be announced once DGCA approval is received. Following the issuance of the license, the concessionaire YIAPL will collaborate with airlines to solidify operational details. The Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) has already sanctioned an ad-hoc user development fee (UDF). “Ticket bookings are expected to open at least 30 days before flights start, which depends on when the license is issued. Airlines generally require a month’s notice for slot allocation,” Singh noted.
The airport will initially host domestic and cargo flights, with a handling capacity of 12 million passengers annually. Capacity in Terminal 1 will nearly double, accommodating 30 million passengers per annum (CPA). Future expansions will include an additional runway and terminal, increasing capacity to 50 million CPA, and eventually up to 70 million CPA.
Last month, NIA CEO Christoph Schnellmann informed TOI that operations will initially be limited to daytime hours, with gradual shifts to night flights. Domestic routes are set to start first, with international services expected to launch in the first half of 2026.
In October, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inspected the airport and later met with PM Narendra Modi, inviting him for the terminal’s inauguration. Whether flights will commence immediately post-inauguration or 30-45 days later will be dependent on the PMO’s schedule and the timeline for the aerodrome license.
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