Noida airport on track for end 2024 launch, says developer

Noida: The Noida International Airport (NIA) in on track to meet its 2024 commissioning deadline, concessionaire Zurich AG’s subsidiary YIAPL said on Thursday, sharing an update on the progress of the project that will make the Delhi-NCR the country’s only megapolis to have two civilian airports for commercial flights operations.
“We are on schedule to deliver the international airport as per the terms of our concession agreement. By the end of 2024, Delhi-NCR will have its second international airport. NIA will provide a capacity for over 12 million passengers annually. We have secured funds of Rs 5,730 crore and expect to deliver the project with the sanctioned investment,” said Christoph Schnellmann, the CEO of Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd (YIAPL).
A subsidiary of concessionaire Zurich AG floated for the airport project, YIAPL awarded the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to Tata Projects Limited in June. Since then, workforce and machinery have been mobilised.
At present, excavation work for the terminal building, runway and air traffic control is on while more than 1,000 workers are employed at the site. At the peak of the construction, this number is expected to touch 5,000. Officials said 50% of the workforce is from the Jewar region, where the airport is located.
“This area will emerge as a strong business ecosystem. We expect that 10,000-12,000 people will work directly in cargo, security, flight maintenance and other spheres of airport management. The ecosystem will create thousands of jobs indirectly as well,” Schnellmann said.
For the first phase, one runway and one terminal will be built. The airport will be developed in four phases, spread out over the 40-year concession period, with two interconnected terminals eventually and a total capacity to handle 70 million passengers annually.
“The first expansion of the airport will start once we reach 80% of the 12 million passengers per year capacity,” Schnellmann said.
The first phase is being developed over 1,340 hectares. Kiran Jain, YIAPL COO, said, “The airport’s design is inspired by India and UP’s rich heritage and architectural designs. The terminal forecourt is a modern rendition of the famous ghats of Varanasi and Haridwar. The design has been planned in such a way that first-time flyers do not feel intimidated.”
An aerocity with commercial establishments like hotels and residential spaces will also come up around the airport. A ground transportation centre (GTC) has been designed to house public transport facilities like metro, taxis and bus services, besides private parking. “This concept has come from Zurich airport, combining all modes of transport under one roof. It is a very important factor in the success of the airport. We have already planned for this and are getting requisite support from the government,” Jain said.
A multi-modal cargo hub on 80 acres and an MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) facility on 40 acres have also been planned at the airport. “NIA will become a key air cargo gateway for North India. The integrated multi-modal cargo hub at NIA will play a crucial role in establishing Uttar Pradesh on the global logistics map. The government has planned for industrial growth in the area. In such a scenario, it becomes important to have the cargo facility,” a YIAPL official said.
NIA has also earmarked eight hectares of land to develop a forest park using trees from the project site. A VVIP terminal and heli-taxi pad catering to the needs of dignitaries, besides handling movement of private jets and helicopters, will be built at the airport too.