In a landmark moment for India’s aviation sector, Noida International Airport (NIA) commenced commercial flight operations welcomed its first passengers. This milestone marks the arrival of a new gateway to the National Capital Region and Western Uttar Pradesh. IndiGo became the first airline to operate from Noida International Airport, with the inaugural flight arriving from Lucknow this morning and the first departure taking off for Bengaluru.
Following its inauguration by the Hon'ble Prime Minister on 28 March 2026, the airport has completed extensive Operational Readiness, Activation and Transition (ORAT) trials to ensure that systems, processes, and teams are fully prepared to deliver safe, seamless, and efficient operations.
The airport will initially offer domestic routes, with international operations planned to commence in the coming months. To ensure smooth onward journeys, passengers will have access to a wide range of transport options catering to every budget and travel need. These include airport taxis, app‑based cab services, and dedicated bus routes connecting Delhi NCR and major cities across North India.
The airport also features dedicated air cargo facilities, developed by Air India SATS (AISATS), with an initial handling capacity of 200,000 metric tons annually and plans to scale up to 1.5 million tonnes. Leveraging advanced digital solutions such as the IATA-recommended E-Freight system, NIA’s cargo hub will streamline documentation, enable end-to-end live tracking, and support paperless cargo movement. The airport’s warehousing and logistics zone will provide e-commerce players and freight forwarders greater operational flexibility, strengthening North India’s trade and logistics ecosystem.
Aloke Singh, Chief Strategy Officer, IndiGo, said, “Opening of the Noida International Airport marks a new chapter in India’s aviation story. Delhi NCR now joins a select group of global megacities served by multiple airports. For IndiGo, the privilege of being the launch carrier at NIA is more than a commercial milestone; it is a commitment to western Uttar Pradesh, to the broader Delhi NCR, and the millions of travellers for whom this gateway opens new possibilities. We are proud to be here from day one.”
Christoph Schnellmann, Vice Chairman, Noida International Airport, said, "Today is a proud moment for everyone who has contributed to making Noida International Airport a reality. We are delighted to welcome our first passengers and flight operations. From the outset, our focus has been on creating an airport that combines operational excellence with an outstanding customer experience. We’re excited that IndiGo has launched operations at the airport today, and we look forward to providing passengers with a smooth, hassle-free experience in an airport that reflects the hospitality, culture and character of this region."
