The Indian aviation industry has been on a growth trajectory over the past few years. The doubling of the number of airports over the past decade and other efforts made by airlines have notably improved domestic and international air connectivity. Airports have transformed from mere locations of transit to infrastructural marvels that place significant emphasis on passenger comfort and experience. Further, the integration of technology is enhancing the efficiency of airport operations, and the use of renewable energy and adoption of sustainable initiatives are driving airports towards achieving their net zero targets. A projected rise in passenger traffic, focus on enhanced connectivity and expected rise in the fleet size of airlines have pushed for further developments on the infrastructure front. Greenfield airports are planned in untapped regions, and capacity constraints at existing airports have driven brownfield expansions. Additionally, the establishment of twin-city airports is a key trend in the sector, as seen in the ongoing airport developments at Navi Mumbai and Noida, and planned second airports at Bengaluru and Chennai.
The upcoming Noida International Airport aims to set a benchmark in aviation infrastructure and act as a growth catalyst for the region. The airport is expected to be inaugurated soon, serving as a key hub for the country. At a recent Indian Infrastructure conference, Nicolas Schenk, Chief Development Officer, Noida International Airport, highlighted the ongoing developments at the airport, efforts to enhance connectivity and the key initiatives undertaken to ensure sustainability. Edited excerpts…
Progress in airport development
The Noida International Airport is poised to be the new gateway to the world. The airport is being developed by Yamuna International Airport Private Limited, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG, in close partnership with the Uttar Pradesh government and the Indian government. It is undertaking the entire investment, amounting to around Rs 65 billion, for infrastructure development, job creation and economic growth in Uttar Pradesh.
The project has seen notable progress over the past few years. Zurich Airport International was awarded the tender for the airport in 2019, for a 40-year concession period. Following this, the concession agreement was signed less than a year later in 2020, and the groundbreaking for the project was carried out in 2021. With the engineering, procurement and construction contract awarded in 2022, all major concessionaires have been onboarded over the past two years, including those for fuel farms, flight catering, hotel development, food and beverage outlets, and ground handlers. The airport is being developed in multiple phases, with an ultimate targeted capacity of 70 million passengers per annum.
Within less than three years since the commencement of construction activities, the airport has made notable progress. Works are under way on the first phase of the project, featuring an annual passenger capacity of 12 million. Works on the runway, apron and service road have been completed, while the development of the terminal facility has been completed to a large extent. The project achieved a notable milestone with the first landing during the flight validation test carried out in December 2024. With this, the airport has commenced activities for operational readiness. The airport has also partnered with Indian Oil Corporation Limited to build and invest in the fuel farm. It will feature hydrant fuelling systems with the top modern fuelling technologies. Safety has also been a key component in the process, with the airport achieving over 60 million safe man-hours of construction activity without any major incident or accident, even during peak times when there were over 9,000 active workers on site.
During the initial years, the airport is expected to see mostly domestic traffic, connecting major hubs and some regional airports with Noida. The first full year of operations is expected to handle about six million passengers, and a gradual rise is expected to take the airport’s traffic to the 12 million threshold.
Enhancing connectivity
Significant measures have been undertaken to ensure that the airport is well connected to the rest of the state and nearby hubs such as Delhi. Road access has been ensured through seamless connectivity to major highways, along with provisions for bus services. The airport is located along the Yamuna Express Highway, linked through a cloverleaf interchange that has been developed over the past two years.
Over the past few months, numerous agreements have been signed with states and regions in the northern area, tourism organisations, and bus transportation organisations to connect the airport with new bus routes. The airport will feature dedicated bus stops with necessary facilities for interchanges, enhancing passenger convenience. It is also expected to be connected through the rapid rail transportation system, with a line planned to connect the airport to the recently inaugurated route that connects Delhi via Ghaziabad to Meerut.
Airport design and sustainability
The Noida International Airport has placed special emphasis on ensuring that airport development is carried out in a sustainable manner, right from the start. Passive design measures are being implemented in the terminal design to reduce the carbon footprint and minimise energy demand, while also creating high quality spaces providing passengers a sense of comfort.
The airport has also been at the forefront of adopting green energy initiatives. In November 2024, a power purchase agreement was signed with Tata Power Trading Company Limited to develop an on-site solar farm and off-grid wind energy. This is expected to aid the airport in ensuring that most of the airport’s energy demand is sourced from green resources from day one of operations. Following the recent groundbreaking of the solar farm, construction is currently under way, and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The airport is also promoting the use of electric vehicles (EVs) on both the airside and landside. A contract has been signed with Mahindra Logistics for the provision of Noida International Airport-branded EV taxis. EVs have also been mandated for ground handling operations, wherever possible. The necessary charging infrastructure is also being developed. For example, Static is developing EV charging stations at the airport.
In addition to these initiatives, waste management processes based on circular economy principles and compact building designs are being adopted to minimise the environmental footprint. The airport is setting up a waste management facility, which in future phases will facilitate the production of natural gas from biowaste at the airport itself. The airport is also incorporating green spaces both within and outside the terminal, enhancing the look and feel of the airport, in addition to providing passengers with the necessary comfort and quality space. In line with this, the airport is set to feature a courtyard (18 x 36 metres) located beyond the security control area, providing passengers with open spaces for an enhanced travelling experience. Further, measures to minimise water demand and reuse water for either irrigation or sanitation purposes will also be explored to ensure a closed water loop.
The goal of blending Indian warmth and hospitality with Swiss efficiency has been a key driving factor behind the airport’s design and operations. These will be reflected through commercial retail outlets, food and beverage outlets, elements of passenger comfort and experience, and waiting zones. Swiss efficiency has been demonstrated through works in developing short walking ways, compact buildings and resource-efficient infrastructure that helps minimise the carbon footprint. Further, airside operations are being optimised to facilitate quick and efficient turnaround processes for aircraft.
Conclusion
The development of the airport stands as a testament to fast-tracked progress. From the design stage itself, the project has incorporated efforts to adopt sustainable measures and overcome environmental challenges. Though delays have postponed the airport’s inauguration, efforts are under way to ensure that operations commence soon. Looking ahead, the airport is poised to transform passenger experience, enhance connectivity and serve as a key hub for the country.
“The Noida International Airport has placed special emphasis on ensuring that the airport development is carried out in a sustainable manner, right from the start.”
