India's Next Aviation Marvel: Jewar Airport Races Toward Inauguration
As India accelerates its airport infrastructure expansion with numerous upgraded and new facilities, the Noida International Airport in Jewar emerges as the latest addition to this growing list. Located approximately 85 kilometers from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, this ambitious project is rapidly approaching operational status.
The Indian Express recently obtained exclusive access to the construction site in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddha Nagar district, where workers in fluorescent orange vests and yellow helmets move with purpose under the late morning sun. Each worker undergoes Aadhaar card verification before proceeding to their tasks, contributing to the symphony of grinding machines and hammer strikes that fills the air.
Construction Milestones and Operational Timeline
Since construction commenced in June 2022, workers have been transforming 1,334 acres of land into a sprawling complex of glass, concrete, and metal. The project reached a significant milestone on October 31, when the Airports Authority of India conducted a successful calibration flight—a critical first step ensuring the accuracy of navigation, communication, and radar systems.
While the official inauguration date remains unannounced, state government sources indicate the first of three planned phases will open in November. Commissioned in 2021 to alleviate passenger load from Delhi's IGI Airport, which handled approximately 8 crore passengers in 2024, Jewar airport is projected to accommodate 1.2 crore passengers annually during its initial phase.
The Rs 6,500-crore first phase will feature one runway and one terminal, with plans eventually calling for six runways and four terminals. Initial operations will include 30 flights: 25 domestic routes to major cities like Lucknow, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Dehradun; three international flights to Zurich, Singapore, and Dubai; and two cargo flights.
Strategic Location and Regional Impact
The airport's strategic positioning represents its unique selling proposition. Situated about 85 km from IGI airport, 50 km from Noida, and 87 km from Hindon airport, it also offers proximity to key destinations: Agra lies 130 km away, while Aligarh is merely 65 km distant.
"The location of Jewar airport is its USP," affirms Rakesh Kumar Singh, CEO of Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA). "Visitors to Agra, Mathura, and Vrindavan will no longer have to land in Delhi and spend hours travelling. They can land directly in Jewar."
The airport will significantly benefit passengers from Aligarh, Hathras, Moradabad, Meerut, Bulandshahr, and Faridabad. Enhanced connectivity through the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways, along with planned links to the Ganga Expressway, will facilitate access for cities along the Ganga from Haridwar to Bijnor.
Passengers can anticipate competitive pricing, as Singh explains: "Once the airport is ready, we will have abundant apron space. Parking charges for airlines will be low, and we will schedule more late-night flights. So passengers can expect cheaper flights from Jewar."
Architectural Vision and Passenger Experience
Christoph Schnellmann, CEO of Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL)—a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG overseeing the development—describes the project's journey as both rapid and challenging.
"We have been working on this project since 2019. Sometimes, it feels like we started just a month ago. Its journey has been turbulent—from designing and constructing to preparing to operate a greenfield airport," Schnellmann reflects.
The airport's design draws inspiration from India's rich heritage and culture. The terminal building incorporates red sandstone and emulates the architecture of traditional havelis, where courtyards welcome fresh air and sunlight. A translucent, wavy roof inspired by regional rivers creates the illusion of flowing water, while flight of steps in the terminal forecourt mirror the ghats of Varanasi and Haridwar. Ornamental lattice screens complete the aesthetic vision.
"Once passengers clear security checks, they will enter a huge courtyard," Schnellmann promises. "As a digital airport, they will experience a blend of retail and duty-free offerings from global brands and local treasures, premium airport dining with diverse multi-cuisine options, and spa services designed for ultimate relaxation."
Overcoming Challenges and Construction Frenzy
The construction site buzzes with intense activity as workers race toward completion. Some scale the towering golden frame of the Air Traffic Control tower to tie reinforcement bars, while others transfer concrete to pillars that will support passenger boarding bridges. Nearby, workers guide massive crane arms using ropes and signals, their voices drowned by engine roars.
The project faced significant hurdles, particularly when the pandemic struck in 2020, just as operations were accelerating. The team had to completely rethink their approach, transitioning to video conferencing for critical planning phases.
"Typically, architects fly in with their plans, but we accomplished everything via video conference. During the first two years, nearly 80% of the team began working with us before we had ever met face-to-face," Schnellmann recalls.
Environmental sustainability remains a core commitment, with the airport designed to achieve ambitious net-zero emissions targets. "We have ensured minimal environmental impact," Schnellmann emphasizes.
Transforming Local Communities and Economy
The approach road to the airport, once primarily farmland, now features numerous real-estate offices with neon-lit signboards. Property owners—mostly farmers whose land was acquired for the project—report dramatic increases in land values, from Rs 25,000 per square yard to Rs 60,000 per square yard within the past six months.
Following the initial acquisition in 2019, residents from six villages were relocated to a Relief and Rehabilitation colony in Jewar, approximately 3.5 km from the original sites. Compensation packages have increased with subsequent acquisition phases:
- First phase: Rs 2,100 per square meter plus plots
- Second phase: Rs 3,100 per square meter
- Third and fourth phases: Rs 4,300 per square meter
Shailendra Bhatia, 49, Officer on Special Duty at YEIDA, acknowledges the emotional challenges of land acquisition. "The most difficult aspect was convincing farmers, who had owned the land for generations, to part with it. They felt deeply connected to their land. We developed a rehabilitation plan and settlement that resembled their original village to respect their sentiments."
However, many residents at the R&R colony report exhausting their compensation funds to build new homes, leaving them without sustainable income sources.
Ram Vir Singh, 65, former resident of Nangla Ganeshi village, received approximately Rs 25 lakh compensation for his 6.17 bigha land. He allocated Rs 15 lakh to construct a two-story house and purchased farming land in Aligarh. "Before losing his job two months ago, my son worked as a canteen attendant at a Greater Noida private firm. We have temporary financial security but lack long-term stability," Singh shares.
Attitudes toward land acquisition vary among villagers. At Neemka Shahjahanpur—identified for third-phase acquisition—Ajay Atri, 43, who owns 1 bigha, expresses willingness to part with his land. "I'm prepared to relinquish my land and establish a business with the compensation. I don't want my children to become farmers like me. Agriculture offers limited financial prospects."
His brother Sanjay, 45, demands higher compensation, noting that "only 70% of residents have agreed to the acquisition. Since we're near Bulandshahr, land values will appreciate regardless."
At Khwajapur, another village designated for third-phase acquisition, 23-year-old Pradeep—a Class 5 dropout—smiles while discussing future plans. "First, I'll purchase a phone. Then, I'll open a car wash business. Most people here lack business knowledge beyond farming."
Salman Khan, an influencer from Alawalpur—a village adjacent to the airport site—with over 1 lakh Instagram followers and 2 lakh YouTube subscribers, anticipates significant benefits from the airport and upcoming film city. Dressed in white pants and a purple shirt, Khan envisions his career ascending alongside the airport's development.
"I currently spend substantial amounts traveling to Mumbai and Delhi. Flights from Jewar will reduce my travel expenses significantly. I also plan to create content at the airport," he excitedly shares.
As construction intensifies toward the November deadline, the Noida International Airport at Jewar represents not merely infrastructure development but a transformative project poised to reshape regional connectivity, stimulate economic growth, and establish new benchmarks for Indian aviation.
