NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Uttar Pradesh on March 28 to open the first phase of the Noida International Airport, officials said on Wednesday.
The visit comes at a time when India is expanding its aviation network to handle rising passenger traffic and position itself as a major global hub. The new airport near Jewar is expected to ease pressure on the capital’s existing airport while boosting connectivity across the region.
According to an official release from the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Modi will first tour the terminal building at the airport site in Gautam Buddha Nagar. Around noon, he will formally inaugurate Phase I and address a public gathering.
The airport is being built as the second international gateway for the Delhi-NCR region, alongside Indira Gandhi International Airport. Together, the two facilities are expected to function as a combined aviation network, helping reduce congestion and increasing passenger capacity.
Officials say the project is one of India’s largest greenfield airports, developed with an investment of about ₹11,200 crore under a public-private partnership model.
In its first phase, the airport will be able to handle around 12 million passengers every year. Over time, this capacity is planned to expand to as much as 70 million annually. The site includes a 3,900-metre runway designed for wide-body aircraft, along with modern navigation systems to support round-the-clock operations in all weather conditions.
The airport will also focus on cargo movement. Plans include a multi-modal cargo hub with an integrated terminal and logistics zones. To begin with, the airport is expected to handle over 2.5 lakh metric tonnes of cargo every year, and that number can grow sharply as operations expand. It will also have a large 40-acre facility for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul.
The project has been planned with the environment in mind. Officials say it aims to run as a net-zero emissions airport. Even its design reflects a mix of old and new; drawing inspiration from traditional Indian ghats and havelis while using modern building techniques.
Built along the Yamuna Expressway, the airport is being positioned as a transport hub. It will be connected through roads, rail, metro and other regional networks, making it easier for both travellers and cargo to move in and out.
Agencies