In a significant development for aviation infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh, the Noida International Airport is poised to receive its crucial aerodrome licence within days, paving the way for its inauguration by December 15. The announcement came during Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's second inspection visit to Jewar in three weeks, where he reviewed the project's final stages.
Final Regulatory Hurdles Being Cleared
During the high-level review meeting attended by Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, officials revealed that the aerodrome licence from DGCA is expected by December 4. This final regulatory approval represents the last major milestone before commercial operations can commence at the much-anticipated airport project.
RK Singh, CEO of Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL), expressed confidence about the timeline, stating, "We are on track. Once BCAS approval comes through, DGCA will clear the aerodrome licence almost immediately." The airport's special purpose vehicle is overseeing the project's completion.
Security Enhancements Underway
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) had identified certain security gaps during inspections conducted on November 24 and 25. These included the need for additional CCTV cameras and more watchtowers along the airport's extensive 17-kilometer boundary wall.
According to officials, these security enhancements are expected to be completed by December 2. Since the CISF took charge of security in September, substantial measures have been implemented, including:
- Deployment of 1,047 security personnel under a chief aerodrome security officer
- Installation of over 350 AI-enabled CCTV cameras
- Implementation of electric fencing and intrusion detection systems
- Establishment of a centralized security operations center
- Positioning of quick response teams for emergencies
Inauguration and Operational Timeline
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the airport, with officials indicating that December 15 has been proposed as the inauguration date. The PMO has been informed about this timeline, though final confirmation is still awaited.
While the airport will be ready for inauguration by mid-December, commercial flight operations are unlikely to begin before early next year. Once the aerodrome licence is secured, Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL) will coordinate with airlines including Air India, Akasa Air, and IndiGo to finalize operational details.
The airport is planned to commence with daytime domestic passenger and cargo operations initially. However, the process of securing slots, finalizing schedules, and arranging ground-handling services typically requires at least one month, pushing actual commercial flights to early 2024.
During the review meeting, Chief Minister Adityanath instructed both the concessionaire and CISF to complete all pending compliance points within the stipulated timeframe, emphasizing the government's commitment to operationalizing the airport as soon as possible.
