PM Modi to inaugurate Noida International Airport today; key highlights and what it means for NCR

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the first phase of the Noida International Airport at Jewar in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddha Nagar district today, marking a significant addition to the National Capital Region’s aviation infrastructure. 

According to an official statement, the Prime Minister will reach the project site around 11:30 am to review the terminal facilities before formally opening the airport at noon. He is also expected to address a public gathering following the inauguration.

In a message shared on social media a day earlier, Modi described the launch as a key milestone for Uttar Pradesh and the NCR.

“This will boost commerce and connectivity. It will ease congestion at the IGI Airport in Delhi. The Noida airport is among the key greenfield projects in our nation. In addition to passenger services, it will have a robust cargo ecosystem thus boosting the logistics sector,” he wrote on X.

Strengthening NCR’s aviation capacity

The Jewar airport is being positioned as a major international gateway for the NCR, complementing existing operations in Delhi. Together, the two airports are expected to function as an integrated aviation network, improving passenger handling capacity and operational efficiency while reducing congestion in the region.

Scale, capacity and infrastructure

Developed under the public-private partnership model, the project’s first phase has been completed with an investment of around ₹11,200 crore. The airport is designed to handle 12 million passengers annually in its initial stage, with a long-term expansion plan targeting up to 70 million passengers per year.

It features a 3,900-metre runway capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft, along with advanced navigation systems and night-landing capabilities.

Logistics and cargo push

A key component of the project is its cargo infrastructure. The airport will house an integrated logistics hub and cargo terminal with an initial handling capacity of over 2.5 lakh metric tonnes, scalable to 1.8 million tonnes over time. A dedicated 40-acre maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility is also planned to support aviation services.

Focus on sustainability and connectivity

Designed as a future-ready project, the airport aims to operate as a net-zero emissions facility. Its architecture draws inspiration from traditional Indian design elements, while its location along the Yamuna Expressway enables seamless connectivity through road, rail and metro networks.

The commissioning of Phase I is expected to significantly improve regional connectivity and drive economic activity in western Uttar Pradesh, particularly in and around Gautam Buddha Nagar.