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Watch: Jewar airport conducts first flight validation test ahead of 2025 opening

Noida International Airport conducted its first successful flight... Read More
NOIDA: Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL) successfully conducted its first flight validation test on Monday, marking a significant step toward the airport’s commercial launch scheduled for April 2025.

An IndiGo passenger flight, with a full crew and staff from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), carried out the crucial trial run.

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The test involved technical assessments, along with takeoff and landing maneuvers on the airport's runway.

The data collected during the exercise will be reviewed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for further evaluation.

Upon DGCA approval, the airport authorities will apply for an aerodrome license, which is a mandatory step before commencing full operations.

Noida International Airport: How India’s ‘largest’ airport is coming up in Greater Noida’s Jewar

Noida International Airport set to open next year! Did you know that the Noida International Airport, being built in Jewar, is touted to be India’s ‘largest airport’ once all its phases are complete. The second international airport in Delhi-NCR is being seen as a game-changer for air travel in the region, aiming to decongest Delhi’s IGI airport and offer a gateway to major regions in UP and other neighbouring states. It is also expected to be connected to the Varanasi bullet train project in the future! So what’s the status of India’s largest airport project? We take a look at top 10 stunning facts and images of the Noida International Airport in Jewar:

Noida International Airport opening date: The National Capital Region's second international airport will commence operations in April 2025. The first phase of construction has been completed, allowing both domestic and international flights to operate from April 17. (Concept image)

Noida International Airport Location: Positioned 75 kilometres from Delhi, this new aviation facility will function alongside IGI Airport. Situated in Jewar, Greater Noida, the new airport will help reduce the passenger load at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. The airport's service area will extend beyond NCR to include western Uttar Pradesh and adjacent regions of Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan. (Concept image)

The Jewar airport project has been expanded to include five runways, revised from the initial two-runway plan. The acquisition of land for the third runway is currently in progress, requiring 1,335 hectares. The fourth and fifth runways will need an additional 2,053 hectares. (Concept image)

Noida International Airport's initial passenger handling capacity is set at 12 million annually, with future plans to accommodate 70 million passengers yearly once all five runways are functional. According to the UP government, it will be India's first airport to function as a transit hub, with plans to become a significant connection point in the Asia Pacific region. (Concept image)

Noida International Airport’s development plan spans four phases across a 40-year concession period. The airport will feature two connected terminals and will accommodate 70 million passengers yearly. Delhi's IGI Airport operates with four runways and can handle 104 million passengers annually. (Concept image)

Noida International Airport area: Being constructed in four phases by Switzerland's Zurich Airport International, this facility will begin service with one runway and a passenger terminal. The new Noida airport will occupy 1,300 hectares. (Concept image)

Noida International Airport design: The upcoming Jewar Airport has been ‘inspired by India’, with the terminal's design incorporating architectural elements reminiscent of the ghats of Haridwar and Varanasi, according to officials. (Concept image)

Noida International Airport progress: According to reports, the Uttar Pradesh government has implemented an e-tendering system to streamline Jewar airport-related construction and operations related processes, including licensing, operations, and staff recruitment procedures. (Concept image)

Air India SATS is establishing a multimodal cargo facility at the Noida International Airport, occupying 80 acres. The facility will incorporate an integrated cargo terminal with comprehensive warehousing and logistics services. (Concept image)


Validation flights, also known as proving flights, are a key part of the certification process. They are conducted to verify that the airport meets safety, operational, and regulatory standards.

These flights simulate real-world operations and assess whether the airport's infrastructure, procedures, and systems align with DGCA guidelines.

As per the timeline, the validation tests are scheduled between November 30 and December 15.

In October, the airport had already completed a major milestone by calibrating its Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) systems.

Officials confirmed that 85% of the first phase of the project is complete, with the 3.9km runway fully operational and the terminal building nearing its final stages of construction.

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