Noida Airport: Takeoff Delayed... Again!

The highly anticipated opening of Noida International Airport has once again been delayed, with the terminal building unlikely to be ready by the most recent deadline of May 15, according to a Times of India report. This marks the third missed launch date, and operations are now not expected to begin for at least another two months.

Originally set to open on September 29, 2024, the project timeline was later adjusted to April 17, 2025. Domestic flights were then scheduled to commence on May 15, followed by international operations on June 25. However, continued construction setbacks have rendered these targets unachievable. As a result, the project is now running a full year behind schedule.

In response to the delays, the Uttar Pradesh government has imposed a penalty of ₹10 lakh per day on the concessionaire, Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL), effective from January 1. On Tuesday, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh visited the construction site in Jewar and met with representatives from YIAPL, Tata Projects Limited, and Noida International Airport Limited (NIA). A new timeline is expected to be established soon, with Singh set to submit a detailed progress report within 15 days.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed all stakeholders to accelerate progress, urging senior officials to conduct regular reviews and maintain direct communication with the Tata Sons Chairman to ensure accountability.

While no official status update has been released, data as of March 10 indicated 80% overall completion. The runway and airside infrastructure were 90% complete and targeted for April readiness, while the terminal building was also at 80%, with ongoing steel roofing and interior works. However, water and sewage treatment facilities lagged at only 40% completion.

The Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower, originally due by March 31, faces delays in the commissioning of CNS/ATM systems by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), now expected by April 30. Additionally, setbacks in obtaining the aerodrome license from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) further hinder the launch.

At a DGCA meeting on March 5, AAI stated that only limited ATC functionality could be made available for inspection after April 30. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) also flagged issues in safety documentation and noted that it would need 45 days after receiving compliant responses to grant security clearance. A structural stability certificate will also be necessary if the terminal opens in phases.

YIAPL has been asked to provide detailed operational plans for a partial launch, considering incomplete terminal and cargo apron facilities. The DGCA outlined three options: starting with cargo services by May 15, launching limited passenger operations using a section of the terminal, or completing full Phase 1 development. A phased opening, beginning with domestic and cargo flights, is now seen as the most likely scenario.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.