The Noida International Airport opening in Jewar has been delayed again, forcing authorities to impose a significant daily penalty of ₹10 lakh on the project’s concessionaire, Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL).
The airport’s operational deadline was revised to April 17, 2025, after it was initially slated to open its first phase by September 29, 2024. But with the progress now, even that target will likely be missed. Officials now predict domestic flights will likely start between May 15 and 31 and international flights from June 15 to 25, subject to licensing approvals due in May.
In response to the delay, Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL) and the Uttar Pradesh government have taken a firm stance. During a March 10 review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, it was decided to enforce a penalty of ₹10 lakh per day on YIAPL for breaching the contractual timeline.
Arun Vir Singh, CEO of NIAL, confirmed the fine and said that the penalty will remain in effect until the airport becomes operational. Singh further disclosed that a coordination meeting with the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and other stakeholders has been conducted to resolve the current delays. YIAPL has been asked to submit a new “catch-up” plan by April 2 to make flight operations start without any further delays.
YIAPL, a fully owned subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG, holds a 40-year concession agreement to build and operate the airport, signed on October 1, 2021. The construction contract was awarded to Tata Projects in June 2022. Singh acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted early progress, but emphasized that the concessionaire had already been granted a three-month extension.
Noida International Airport has proposed to be the prime aviation hub for North India, relieving congestion at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, and stimulating local economic activity when it is ready. Ongoing delays, however, have placed in question sustainable project management and accountability of delivery.
As the state pushes for timely completion, all eyes remain on YIAPL’s forthcoming roadmap to deliver on one of India’s most ambitious infrastructure projects.
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