Final Phase: NIA begins technical equipment trials for December opening
Noida International Airport
With a December opening in sight, Noida International Airport (NIA) has commenced advanced terminal trials along with testing of technical equipment as part of its final preparations.
Accordingly, the phase 1 of the infrastructure development is on track to be completed by the end of October, paving the way for the airport to receive its aerodrome license and the eventual start of commercial operations.
Speaking to businessline, Christoph Schnellmann, Chief Executive Officer of Noida International Airport, said, “Noida International Airport is on the home stretch.”
“We have commenced advanced terminal trials and testing of technical equipment. With Phase 1 nearing completion, we are on track and eagerly looking forward to commencing commercial operations this year, bringing a world-class aviation experience to the region.”
Recently, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu also told businessline in an exclusive interview that, as per the current schedule, the airport’s construction phase should conclude by the end of this month.
“After the construction phase, regulatory testing and trials will take place before licensing is completed,” Naidu stated.
“Contingent on the project meeting its revised timelines, we expect the airport to be operational by year-end.”
Meanwhile, significant structural and technical progress has already been achieved.
The roofing work and installation of key technical systems at the passenger terminal building have been completed. In August, Schnellmann had noted that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) was actively installing and commissioning critical equipment in the air traffic control tower.
At the same time, a comprehensive Operational Readiness, Activation and Transition (ORAT) programme was completed. This initiative aimed to ensure that all airport systems, processes and personnel are fully prepared for day-one operations.
This critical phase involved trial runs, simulations and familiarisation programmes for airlines, ground handlers and other essential stakeholders.
Tests were conducted on various systems, including baggage handling, security screening, check-in counters and boarding gates.
Additionally, the airport has successfully completed terminal trials—part of the ORAT process—which mark the final preparatory stage before operations go live.
These trials focused on evaluating passenger flows, systems integration and coordination among airport service providers.
In addition, the cargo terminal nearly complete, and its ORAT programme has started.
Commissioning of the fuel farm and fuel hydrant system is also in their final stages.
The next major milestone for the airport will be the issuance of the aerodrome licence by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which is necessary for the commencement of flight operations.
Initially, services will be limited to domestic routes, while international operations are expected to roll out in later phases.
During the first phase, the airport will operate a single runway and terminal and is designed to handle 12 million passengers annually.
The airport is expected to handle six million passengers in its maiden year of operations.
Furthermore, upon completion of the fourth and final phase, the airport will have the capacity to serve up to 70 million passengers each year.
The project had earlier missed two major deadlines—originally planned for completion by the end of 2024 and later revised to April 2025—due to supply chain constraints, particularly in sourcing structural steel and roofing materials.
Nonetheless, with phase-1 infrastructure now scheduled for completion by October 31, the December opening timeline appears to be within reach.
In terms of airline connectivity, IndiGo is expected to be the first passenger airline to begin operations from the new airport, having signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Noida International Airport.
Additionally, several international carriers have expressed interest in launching services once the airport becomes fully operational.
Published on October 12, 2025
