India opens second international airport in New Delhi as air travel demand surges
PM Modi highlights economic boost for western Uttar Pradesh region
DUBAI/NEW DELHI – India has inaugurated its second international airport serving New Delhi, marking a significant milestone in the country’s fast-expanding aviation sector.
The Noida International Airport, located in Jewar in Uttar Pradesh, was officially opened on Saturday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The greenfield project is designed to handle 12 million passengers annually in its initial phase, with long-term plans to expand capacity to 70 million travellers.
The inauguration of Phase-I of Noida International Airport marks a major step in Uttar Pradesh’s growth story and India’s aviation future. https://t.co/8OLduHTZU8
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 28, 2026
Situated about 75 kilometres from the capital, the airport is expected to play a crucial role in easing congestion at Indira Gandhi International Airport, currently the primary aviation hub for the region. Authorities confirmed that the new facility will also manage cargo operations, strengthening logistics capabilities alongside passenger services.
Capacity boost
The development comes as India positions itself as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, driven by a population of 1.4 billion and rising demand for both domestic and international travel.
Once fully operational, officials estimate that a flight could take off from the new airport every two minutes, underlining the scale of anticipated traffic.
The surrounding Jewar area is also emerging as a logistics hub, supported by dedicated freight corridors and multimodal transport links. The convergence point at Dadri is expected to streamline cargo movement, making supply chains faster and more efficient.
Officials noted that the airport will function in tandem with Delhi’s existing airport, forming an integrated aviation system aimed at increasing passenger capacity and positioning the National Capital Region among leading global aviation hubs.
Future plans
The launch reflects India’s broader push to expand its aviation infrastructure under Modi’s leadership. The number of airports in the country has more than doubled from 74 in 2014 to 157 in 2024, according to government figures. Authorities have also announced plans to develop up to 100 new airports over the next decade, with a long-term target of 350 to 400 airports by 2047.
In addition, a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility is planned at Jewar, aimed at reducing reliance on overseas services and generating employment across aviation-related sectors, including pilots, cabin crew and technical specialists.