New Delhi: Noida International Airport (NIA) is set to commence operations next Monday, but with one fewer launch airline than originally planned. Air India Express has indefinitely postponed its plans to operate flights from the new airport, leaving IndiGo and Akasa Air as the initial carriers. IndiGo will begin flights from June 15, followed by Akasa from June 16.
IndiGo to Dominate Initial Operations
IndiGo is expected to be the largest operator at NIA for the foreseeable future. The Tata-backed Air India Group, facing mounting losses, has decided to keep its budget airline away from NIA for now. This development means the new airport will not be as busy as initially anticipated during its first few months of operation.
IndiGo, which opened bookings from NIA in May, will connect 16 cities. The airline's first commercial touchdown at NIA is scheduled for June 15 at 8:05 am, with flight 6E 2278 arriving from Lucknow's Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport. Akasa Air has announced daily nonstop flights to Bengaluru and Navi Mumbai starting June 16.
Air India Express Withdraws from Hindon and NIA
Air India Express has also pulled out of Ghaziabad's Hindon terminal and now operates only to and from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). A source explained, "The Air India Group is cutting costs and may not be keen to spend on setting up facilities at an airport in an area where it is already present (Delhi IGIA). The flights cut by Air India Express due to market demand and network rationalisation include those from Delhi as well. The current services can be served from IGIA."
While NIA, like all new airports such as Goa Mopa and Navi Mumbai, will see a gradual ramp-up in flights as IndiGo builds up routes and frequencies, and Akasa does so on a smaller scale, Hindon has experienced a drastic reduction in flights this summer. This is despite being located in the heart of a densely populated area. The reduction is due to airlines cutting flights because of the West Asia war's impact on operating costs and the defence airport's own limitations.
Hindon Airport's Operational Challenges
Hindon last winter saw a peak of about 25 daily aircraft movements, meaning 25 arrivals and as many departures. That number has now fallen to just eight, with IndiGo having five arrivals and as many departures, and Star Air operating three. The number fell after IndiGo reduced its operations and Air India Express pulled out its 10 daily flights.
While the flight reduction is part of overall cuts seen globally, Hindon poses serious operational challenges for airlines. It has only two parking bays for commercial aircraft and limited sunrise-to-sunset operational hours. If one aircraft gets delayed on the ground for some reason, such as a suspected technical snag, then the other aircraft that was to land and take this slot has to be diverted to Delhi IGIA.
Future Outlook
Everyone is hoping for better times to return for aviation, which will see more people flying again, and preparations are underway accordingly. Hindon is adding parking bays and expanding its passenger terminal. NIA is opening next Monday. "We are waiting to take off once the current challenges subside. The runway is there. The intent is there," said a senior airline official.
