Noida airport launch by December 15? DGCA approval in last lap, CM Yogi Adityanath reviews site; PM Narendra Modi likely to inaugurate
NOIDA: Noida International Airport is just days away from securing its aerodrome licence and will be ready for inauguration by Dec 15, chief minister Yogi Adityanath was informed on Thursday during a visit to Jewar, his second in three weeks to take stock of progress at the airport, which govt is keen to operationalise as soon as possible.
The CM, during his inspection, was accompanied by Union civil aviation minister K Rammohan Naidu.
Officials told the CM the aerodrome licence, which is the final regulatory approval from Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), was likely to come by Dec 4. Before that, a final security inspection by Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) is due.
BCAS had identified some gaps in CISF preparedness during a two-day inspection on Nov 24 and 25. Among them are the need for additional CCTV cameras and more watchtowers along the airport's 17km boundary wall.
RK Singh, CEO of Noida International Airport Limited, UP's special purpose vehicle that is overseeing the airport project, said these are expected to be in place by Dec 2. "We are on track. Once BCAS approval comes through, DGCA will clear the aerodrome licence almost immediately," he said. The aerodrome licence will pave the way for commercial flight operations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the airport. Officials said a final confirmation on the date is awaited from the PMO. At a review meeting with senior officials from DGCA, BCAS, CISF, airport concessionaire Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL) and NIAL, the CM was told that the PMO too had been informed that the airport could be inaugurated by Dec 15.
NIAL nodal officer Shailendra Bhatia said the CM instructed both the concessionaire and CISF to close all pending compliance points within the stipulated time. Officials said the latest BCAS inspection, covering surveillance systems, access control, perimeter security and personnel readiness, followed a high-level preparedness review on Nov 20.
Security has been substantially strengthened since CISF took charge in Sept. Officials said 1,047 personnel have been deployed under a chief aerodrome security officer to provide layered protection, including perimeter guarding, passenger and baggage screening, entry control and landside safety in the first phase.
While quick response teams have been positioned for emergencies, over 350 AI-enabled CCTV cameras, electric fencing, intrusion detection systems and a centralised security operations centre have been installed.
Once the aerodrome licence is issued, YIAPL is set to finalise the date for flight operations in consultation with Air India, Akasa Air and IndiGo.
The airport is expected to begin with daytime domestic passenger and cargo operations. However, officials said commercial flights are unlikely before early next year, as airlines and the airport operator must still complete procedures such as securing slots, finalising schedules and ground-handling arrangements—a process that typically takes at least a month.
The CM, during his inspection, was accompanied by Union civil aviation minister K Rammohan Naidu.
Officials told the CM the aerodrome licence, which is the final regulatory approval from Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), was likely to come by Dec 4. Before that, a final security inspection by Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) is due.
BCAS had identified some gaps in CISF preparedness during a two-day inspection on Nov 24 and 25. Among them are the need for additional CCTV cameras and more watchtowers along the airport's 17km boundary wall.
RK Singh, CEO of Noida International Airport Limited, UP's special purpose vehicle that is overseeing the airport project, said these are expected to be in place by Dec 2. "We are on track. Once BCAS approval comes through, DGCA will clear the aerodrome licence almost immediately," he said. The aerodrome licence will pave the way for commercial flight operations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the airport. Officials said a final confirmation on the date is awaited from the PMO. At a review meeting with senior officials from DGCA, BCAS, CISF, airport concessionaire Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL) and NIAL, the CM was told that the PMO too had been informed that the airport could be inaugurated by Dec 15.
NIAL nodal officer Shailendra Bhatia said the CM instructed both the concessionaire and CISF to close all pending compliance points within the stipulated time. Officials said the latest BCAS inspection, covering surveillance systems, access control, perimeter security and personnel readiness, followed a high-level preparedness review on Nov 20.
Security has been substantially strengthened since CISF took charge in Sept. Officials said 1,047 personnel have been deployed under a chief aerodrome security officer to provide layered protection, including perimeter guarding, passenger and baggage screening, entry control and landside safety in the first phase.
While quick response teams have been positioned for emergencies, over 350 AI-enabled CCTV cameras, electric fencing, intrusion detection systems and a centralised security operations centre have been installed.
Once the aerodrome licence is issued, YIAPL is set to finalise the date for flight operations in consultation with Air India, Akasa Air and IndiGo.
The airport is expected to begin with daytime domestic passenger and cargo operations. However, officials said commercial flights are unlikely before early next year, as airlines and the airport operator must still complete procedures such as securing slots, finalising schedules and ground-handling arrangements—a process that typically takes at least a month.
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