Why is Noida Airport Opening Delayed? Security Gaps and a Foreign CEO Hurdle

The launch of Noida International Airport (NIA), also known as Jewar Airport, has been postponed again. Commercial flights are now expected to begin in January 2026, according to an announcement by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. This new timeline follows multiple missed deadlines, with the first phase originally slated for September 2024. The delay stems from a mix of unfinished infrastructure and crucial regulatory hurdles.

Union Aviation Secretary Samir Sinha is scheduled to hold a key review meeting on Thursday. The meeting will include senior officials from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The goal is to resolve outstanding issues and finalize an inauguration date for the Prime Minister's Office.

Key Regulatory and Security Bottlenecks

NIA requires several last-stage clearances to become fully operational. The most critical issues relate to aviation security and infrastructure readiness.

Infrastructure and Certification Concerns

• Perimeter Wall: The airport's critical perimeter wall was incomplete until very recently. Its absence necessitated temporary watchtowers with proper illumination.
• Porous Passenger Areas: Officials noted that certain passenger flow areas, for both arrivals and departures, are "porous." This creates a risk of mix-ups between arriving and departing flyers and must be secured.
• Equipment Certification: The final certification for bomb disposal equipment is pending. This mandatory approval is required from the CISF.
• Aerodrome License: The airport cannot begin operations without an aerodrome license. This essential certification is granted by the DGCA.

Foreign CEO Security Clearance

A significant regulatory roadblock is the security clearance for NIA's CEO, Christoph Schnellmann, a Swiss national.

• BCAS Rule: BCAS rules, dating back to 2011, mandate that the CEO of every greenfield airport in India must be an Indian national. The CEO also acts as the airport's security coordinator.
• Pending Approval: Schnellmann requires a mandatory security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• Industry Precedent: The aviation ministry has reportedly pointed out that major Indian carriers, like Air India and IndiGo, are also led by foreign nationals. Schnellmann has prior experience in India, having been involved with the construction of Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport.

Impact and Operational Outlook

The repeated delays for this major infrastructure project highlight the complex regulatory process for new aviation hubs in India. The delay in the Jewar Airport opening date impacts the National Capital Region's (NCR) capacity expansion plans.

By comparison, the Navi Mumbai International Airport, which was inaugurated in October 2025, began flight operations about two and a half months later. The Mopa Airport in Goa followed a similar quick turnaround.

Once all issues are resolved, the airport will follow a phased launch. NIA will begin with a "limited window of daytime operations" in the initial weeks. Operations will then gradually expand to include night flights. This transition is part of the standard Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) process, a critical step for all new commercial aviation news facilities.

Inaugurating the airport in January 2026 is considered critical. This timeline would allow NIA to become operational before the end of the current fiscal year, March 31, 2026. It would also provide time to scale up operations before the peak summer travel season.