The crucial question of whether the much-anticipated Noida International Airport (NIA) will become operational before the end of the current fiscal year in March 2026 is expected to find an answer this Christmas. Union Aviation Secretary Samir Sinha is scheduled to conduct a high-level review of the airport's progress on Thursday, December 25, 2025.
Critical Hurdles Before the Inauguration
The review meeting will involve all key agencies, including the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), alongside NIA executives. A source familiar with the developments highlighted several pending issues that could delay the airport's operational readiness.
The critical perimeter wall around the airport site was not completed until very recently. As a temporary measure, watch towers have been installed at regular intervals along the boundary, but they require proper illumination. Furthermore, passenger flow areas for arrivals and departures are reportedly porous at certain points, raising concerns about potential security mix-ups where arriving passengers could pass items to departing ones.
On the security front, bomb disposal equipment stationed at the airport is still awaiting certification from the CISF. Another significant hurdle is the security clearance for the airport's CEO, Christoph Schnellmann, who is a foreign national. The aviation ministry has taken up this matter with the home ministry, citing precedents where the CEOs of major airlines like Air India and IndiGo are also foreign nationals. Schnellmann, an experienced hand in Indian aviation, was involved in the construction of Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport back in 2007-08.
The Road to Becoming Operational
Once these pending issues are resolved during Thursday's review, the process to seek an inauguration date from the Prime Minister's Office will begin. Timing is critical; securing an inauguration in January 2026 is essential if the airport is to start operations within the 2025-26 fiscal year and subsequently ramp up for the busy summer travel season.
It is important to note that a formal inauguration is just the first step. At least 45 days are typically required after inauguration for an airport to become fully operational. This period is used for the "Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer" (ORAT) process, which bridges the gap between construction completion and live operations. Recent examples illustrate this timeline: the Navi Mumbai Airport was inaugurated on October 8, 2025, and will commence flights on December 25, 2025—a gap of two and a half months. Similarly, Goa's Mopa airport saw a 25-day gap between its inauguration on December 11, 2022, and operational start on January 5, 2023.
Phased Start and Future Plans
New airports usually begin with a cautious, phased approach to ensure all systems are functioning correctly and to manage any initial teething troubles common in large infrastructure projects. Christoph Schnellmann had previously indicated that NIA would start with a "limited window of daytime operations" in its initial weeks, gradually introducing night flights later.
The outcome of the Christmas Day review will therefore set the definitive course for the Noida International Airport, determining if it can meet its deadline and begin serving passengers as a key aviation hub for the National Capital Region in the coming year.
