DELHI- Noida International Airport (DXN) in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, is preparing to start operations this December as the National Capital Region’s second major aviation hub.
The airport will initially serve domestic routes before launching international flights in the first half of 2026, according to CEO Christoph Schnellmann.
Noida Airport International Ops in 2026
The Greenfield Airport will open with a limited daytime schedule, gradually expanding to full-day and night operations once safety checks and system verifications are complete.
Initial services will be operated by IndiGo (6E), Air India Express (IX), and Akasa Air (QP), with air traffic control managed by the Airports Authority of India and oversight from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has started calibration flights this week to test air navigation aids, runway lighting, and essential safety systems before granting the final operational license.
These tests mark the final stage before Noida International Airport (DXN) officially opens to commercial traffic later this year.
Like other new airports in India, Noida International Airport will follow a phased rollout model. Goa’s Mopa Airport (GOX) launched domestic operations in early 2023 and added international services six months later.
Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), expected to open soon, will take a similar approach—starting with roughly 60 daily flights before doubling capacity within months.
Focus on Passenger Safety and Operational Stability
Schnellmann emphasized that the initial focus will be on ensuring reliable, safe, and efficient operations. “We will begin with domestic flights and a daytime schedule,” he said. “As operations stabilize and systems prove reliable, we’ll move to a 24-hour schedule before introducing international services in 2026.”
This staged rollout is designed to minimize operational risks and allow the airport’s systems, equipment, and staff to adapt to real-world demands before scaling up.
The transition to full-scale operations will follow the global Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) process, a standard adopted by major airports worldwide to validate readiness across all functions.
Preparing for Global Connectivity
Once international operations commence, Noida International Airport (DXN) will strengthen air connectivity across North India, complementing Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).
The first terminal is designed to handle up to 12 million passengers annually, with projections to serve around 6 million travelers in its inaugural year.
Schnellmann noted that the airport’s modular design allows rapid expansion as passenger demand grows. “We expect to reach full terminal capacity within a few years,” he said, highlighting India’s rapidly increasing air travel demand.
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