The Noida International Airport (NIA) at Jewar is set to undergo its validation flight today, marking a significant milestone as the airport prepares for its commercial launch in April 2025. The validation flight is a critical step to ensure that the airport meets all necessary safety and operational standards.

A validation flight involves testing the airport’s approach and departure procedures, ensuring that the runway infrastructure, communication, and navigational systems are fully operational. This flight will collect important data, which will be sent to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for review. Successful completion of the validation flight will allow the NIA to move forward with applying for its aerodrome license—the approval needed to begin operations.

Although the NIA was initially expected to open by the end of 2023, construction delays caused by global supply chain disruptions have pushed the timeline back to April 2025. However, significant progress has been made, including the completion of the runway. In October, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) successfully calibrated the critical Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) systems, which are crucial for safe aircraft landing.

The terminal and supporting infrastructure are progressing well, with the airport management reporting strong interest from both domestic and international airlines. Carriers like IndiGo and Akasa Air have expressed interest in not only launching domestic routes from the NIA but also expanding into international services. The terminal has been designed as an integrated facility to support both domestic and international flights from the outset.

The first phase of the NIA, which will include one runway and one terminal, is expected to handle approximately 12 million passengers annually. When fully developed, the airport will have the capacity to manage up to 70 million passengers each year.

This new airport is a flagship infrastructure project for the Uttar Pradesh government, developed by Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd (YIAPL), a fully-owned subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG. The project is part of the larger vision to reduce the strain on Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), which is expected to become increasingly saturated in the coming years due to the rapid growth in air travel demand across India.

Once operational, NIA will serve as a vital transportation hub for the Greater Delhi area and Western Uttar Pradesh, positioning itself as a critical complement to IGIA in the National Capital Region (NCR). The NIA is expected to play a key role in meeting the growing air traffic demand and improving connectivity between Delhi and neighbouring regions.