Commercial operations officially commenced at Noida International Airport on Monday, with the first passenger flight arriving from Lucknow at 7:55 am. The airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 28.
IndiGo flight 6E-2278 took off from Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow and became the first commercial service to land at the new airport. The return flight, 6E-2279, is scheduled to depart Noida at 6:55 pm and reach Lucknow at 8 pm.
The historic landing was met with applause from passengers onboard, while the aircraft received a traditional water cannon salute upon arrival.
Akasa Air to join operations
Akasa Air is set to become the second airline operating from Noida International Airport, with daily flights to Bengaluru and Navi Mumbai beginning on June 16.
While passenger services have now started, the airport’s first cargo operation is expected to begin on June 17. According to Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL), the inaugural cargo service will operate on a domestic route.
A boost for Uttar Pradesh connectivity
The launch of commercial flights is expected to significantly improve air connectivity between Noida and Lucknow. Until now, many travellers relied on services operating through Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport or opted for road travel between the two cities.
Officials believe the new route will strengthen links between Uttar Pradesh’s major administrative and economic centres while providing a boost to the state’s growing aviation network.
Modern infrastructure and security systems
Developed under a public-private partnership model, the airport has been built by Yamuna International Airport Private Limited, a subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG.
The facility features a 3,900-metre runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft and is equipped with advanced navigation and operational infrastructure, including an Instrument Landing System (ILS) and modern airfield lighting.
Authorities have also implemented a comprehensive security framework at the airport. The system includes AI-powered surveillance technology, while nearly 1,030 personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) have been deployed. Uttar Pradesh Police has additionally established a dedicated police station within the airport premises.
