International flights will not operate at Noida Airport this year, only domestic flights…

New Delhi: The Noida International Airport, being built in Jewar, NCR, is scheduled to be inaugurated this December. Once the airport is officially inaugurated, commercial operations will begin. It will become the second-largest airport in Delhi-NCR. However, international flights will not operate from here this year. It is reported that this will only happen in the first half of 2026.

Initially, flights will operate only during the day

The Times of India(BHARAT) reported this information, quoting Christoph Schnellmann, CEO of Noida International Airport. He stated that initially, the airport will only be open for domestic flights during the day. As security checks and systems become more efficient, night services will also be introduced.

He explained, “We plan to gradually expand operations, focusing on passenger and operational safety, reliability, and passenger experience. Our launch partners are IndiGo, Air India(BHARAT) Express, and Akasa Air, and the Airports Authority of India(BHARAT) (which handles air traffic control) and the DGCA are also on board. I expect daytime flights to begin with for a few weeks. This will be expanded over time.”

Final checks before launch

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) began calibration flights this week. These flights will inspect the airport’s air navigation system, runway lights, and other essential systems. These are the final checks before the airport receives its license and opens for commercial flights later this year. Like other new airports, Noida International Airport (NIA) will gradually expand its services.

It’s worth noting that Goa’s Mopa Airport opened with domestic flights in January 2023, and international flights began six months later. Navi Mumbai Airport, which is set to open soon, will also do something similar. Initially, there will be around 60 flights per day, and this number will double in a few months.

Global flights in 2026

Schnellmann explained that international flights from Noida will only begin once domestic flights are operating and 24-hour services are well established.

He said, “We will start with domestic flights, with a strong focus on safety and passenger experience. Once this is stable, we will expand operations to 24 hours and then begin international flights. I expect this to happen in the first half of 2026 or early next year.”

This transition will occur after a detailed Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) process. This is an internationally recognised process that ensures that all systems, equipment, and personnel are fully prepared before large-scale operations begin. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), ORAT aims to ensure that “facilities, systems, and equipment are fully operational, and that employees are trained and competent to work in the new environment.”