NEW DELHI- Noida International Airport (DXN) has appointed Nitu Samra as its interim Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect. The leadership change follows a directive from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) that requires the CEO of any airport in India to be an Indian national, a rule that barred Swiss national Christoph Schnellmann from continuing in the role.
Schnellmann had served as CEO of Noida International Airport (DXN) since August 2020, overseeing the greenfield project developed by Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL), a subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG.
The airport, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2026, now shifts its focus toward launching commercial operations at the earliest possible date.
Why BCAS Mandated a Leadership Change at Noida Airport
The regulatory basis for this transition lies in a BCAS Aviation Security (AVSEC) order dated January 17, 2011.
The order requires the CEO of every greenfield Indian airport to be an Indian national who serves as the security coordinator at that airport. This individual holds responsibility for coordinating the implementation of all security measures in line with legal provisions and BCAS instructions.
The matter first surfaced in 2022 when questions arose about a foreign national heading a greenfield airport project. Discussions to amend the rule followed in 2023, but no resolution emerged.
On April 22, 2026, the Union Home Ministry formally rejected a request to modify the regulation to permit foreign nationals in the CEO role at greenfield airports. The decision cited security concerns related to air operations.
Written communication informing Noida International Airport (DXN) of the denial reached the airport management on Tuesday night. Three days later, on April 25, 2026, the airport announced Samra’s appointment.
Nitu Samra’s Background and Role
Nitu Samra is a chartered accountant with over 25 years of experience across financial management, asset management, and leasing sectors.
She joined Noida International Airport (DXN) as Chief Financial Officer in October 2021 and has played a central role in the airport’s development since then.
As CFO, she managed financial stewardship, corporate governance, and strategic planning during the project’s most critical construction and pre-operational phases.
Her institutional knowledge of the airport’s finances and operations positions her as a continuity-focused choice for the interim role. The Board of Directors will conduct a formal selection process to identify a permanent CEO.
Schnellmann Transitions to Executive Vice Chairman
Christoph Schnellmann will not exit the project entirely. He has been appointed Executive Vice Chairman of the airport’s Board of Directors.
In this capacity, he will continue to support the airport’s transition from a completed infrastructure project to an operational aviation hub.
Schnellmann led the project through its entire construction phase, including the completion of Phase 1 infrastructure comprising a 3,900-metre runway, Terminal 1 spanning approximately 1.38 lakh square metres, 28 aircraft parking stands, and cargo handling facilities designed for 2.5 lakh tonnes annually.
YIAPL Chairman on Operational Readiness
Daniel Bircher, Chairman of Yamuna International Airport Private Limited, stated that the management change brings the airport into compliance with BCAS requirements while maintaining leadership continuity.
He emphasized that the restructured team will support a smooth transition into operations with clear governance and a strong corporate culture.
The airport’s Phase 1 infrastructure is designed to handle 12 million passengers annually and 30 flights per hour. IndiGo (6E) has signed a memorandum of understanding to serve as the launch carrier, while Akasa Air (QP) has an agreement for developing a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility at the airport.
Commercial flights are expected to begin within 45 to 60 days of the March 2026 inauguration, initially with limited domestic services.
Broader Implications for Indian Aviation
This development highlights a clear regulatory stance: India requires its airport CEOs at greenfield projects to be Indian nationals, regardless of the operating entity’s foreign ownership.
For Zurich Airport International AG and similar international airport operators with Indian concessions, the directive establishes a firm precedent on leadership nationality requirements.
The appointment also underscores the Indian government’s approach of aligning critical infrastructure leadership with national security frameworks.
As Noida International Airport (DXN) prepares to serve as the second major aviation gateway for the Delhi-NCR region alongside Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), this regulatory compliance was a prerequisite for clearing the path to commercial operations.
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