Key facts
- Noida International Airport has commenced flight operations.
- The first flight was an IndiGo aircraft traveling to Lucknow.
Noida International Airport has begun flight operations with an IndiGo flight to Lucknow, after multiple delays. The airport plans to scale up to 40 daily flights by July, despite airlines being cautious about expansion due to high fuel prices.
The launch of Noida International Airport provides a new hub for air travel in the Delhi NCR region, offering passengers more options and potentially easing congestion at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Its development is crucial for regional connectivity and economic growth, despite current airline caution regarding expansion.
Noida International Airport has officially begun flight operations, marking a significant milestone after multiple delays. The inaugural flight, operated by IndiGo, departed for Lucknow on Monday morning. While the airport is starting with 12 daily flights, it aims to expand its capacity to approximately 40 flights per day by July. This expansion comes at a time when Indian airlines are reportedly cutting back on growth plans due to elevated fuel prices. IndiGo and Akasa are set to commence services on Monday and Tuesday respectively, while Air India and Air India Express are not expected to launch operations at the new airport in the near future. Christoph Schnellmann, vice-chairman of the airport, expressed confidence in its long-term growth, citing India's rapid traffic recovery post-Covid and the airport's strong catchment area in western Uttar Pradesh and parts of Delhi NCR. Neetu Samra, CEO of Noida International Airport, highlighted the airport's potential to develop its own passenger base due to its connectivity. To enhance surface transport, the Uttar Pradesh government has approved ₹16,000 crore for a rapid rail corridor that will link the new airport directly to Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) and other key areas of Delhi.