Fresh launch date for Noida International Airport, ops to start after May 15

The first phase of the airport was initially set to be operational by September 29, 2024, but the dates were later revised to April 17 this year. This deadline too is likely to be missed as the aerodrome licence is expected in May, The Indian Express reported earlier this month.

The latest development came after a review meeting, presided by UP Chief Minister Yogi Aditynanath, on March 10. “During the meeting, the concessionaire was asked to follow the terms of the contract agreement on delay penalties. A decision was taken to impose the stipulated fine of Rs 10 lakh per day on YIAPL,” said Singh.

The airport, a marquee project for the UP government, is being developed by YIAPL, a fully-owned subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG. YIAPL is also the operator of the airport over a 40-year concession period that started on October 1, 2021.

The CEO said another meeting with all stakeholders, including officials of the Airports Authority of India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, was called to discuss the plan ahead.

“During this meeting, we asked YIAPL for a ‘catch-up’ plan to ensure flight operations don’t miss the third revised deadline. They met the Chief Secretary and gave their explanation in this regard. They will submit the plan by April 2,” Singh said.

“The project suffered certain setbacks during the Covid pandemic… In June 2022, the construction contract was awarded to Tata Projects. We had already allowed a grace period of three months. Now, the daily penalty of Rs 10 lakh has been enforced and will continue till the airport becomes operational,” he added.

Singh explained that the delay is because the terminal building is yet to be fully completed. “It is due to the design of the iron facade used in the terminal building. The metal is first melted and then moulded, which takes more time,’ said the CEO.

When YIAPL was contacted, an official confirmed their meeting with the Chief Secretary last week. “We are working towards the completion of the project within the revised timeline. The state government has been an avid supporter of this project from the very beginning,” read an official statement from YIAPL.

The first phase of the NIA with one runway and one terminal will have the capacity to handle traffic of 1.2 crore passengers annually, with the potential for further development in additional construction phases. Eventually, after the completion of the fourth phase, the airport will have the capacity to manage 70 million passengers per year.

The NIA will connect the greater Delhi area and Western Uttar Pradesh with flights and will serve as the third airport in the NCR besides Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), which is India’s largest airport, and Hindon Airport in Ghaziabad.