The Noida International Airport (NIA) in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, is almost ready and will be officially inaugurated on 28 March 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to preside over the opening of this major greenfield aviation project in Gautam Buddha Nagar district. While the airport will be formally opened on 28 March, commercial flights are expected to start shortly after. The exact date will depend on operational readiness and final approvals from aviation authorities.

Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu said there is usually a gap of 45 days to two months between getting an aerodrome licence and the start of flight services. This means airlines are likely to begin operations very soon after the official launch.

Airlines Ready to Operate from Jewar

Several Indian airlines are preparing to start services at NIA in the first phase. According to The Sunday Guardian report, IndiGo is expected to lead domestic connectivity, Akasa Air plans to gradually expand its flight network. And Air India Express will focus mainly on international routes. The involvement of multiple airlines early on shows strong confidence in the airport’s future growth.

Airport Structure, Phases, and Strategic Vision

The airport is being built by Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL), a subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG, through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. It has already received its aerodrome licence from the DGCA, marking the final stage before operations begin. The airport is planned in four phases, including a multi-modal cargo hub. In the first phase, with one runway and terminal, it will handle around 12 million passengers annually. Once fully completed, capacity will rise to 70 million passengers per year, making NIA a major aviation hub for the National Capital Region and western Uttar Pradesh.

This project is part of India’s plan to expand its aviation infrastructure, meet growing passenger demand, and improve regional connectivity.