Prime Minister Modi Inaugurates Noida International Airport Phase 1 at Jewar, Launching YEIDA Aerotropolis Ecosystem

What Was Inaugurated

Phase 1 was inaugurated on 28 March 2026, following the grant of an aerodrome licence by the DGCA on 6 March 2026. Prime Minister Modi also laid the foundation stone of 40 acres of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities. The airport includes a 3,900-metre runway, cargo hub, MRO facility and advanced navigation systems.

Development Authority & Decision-Makers

The airport is being developed by Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG, in collaboration with the Government of Uttar Pradesh and the Government of India. The project is being executed under a 40-year concession agreement that began on October 1, 2021. YEIDA is the nodal agency responsible for the planned and sustainable development of the region along the Yamuna Expressway, covering the notified areas of Gautam Buddh Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Hathras, Mathura, and Agra.

What Changes for the Region

The Prime Minister stated that UP has emerged as one of the states with the highest number of international airports in India. The airport will benefit various districts of Western UP, including Agra, Mathura, Aligarh, Ghaziabad, Etawah, and Faridabad, and will bring new opportunities for farmers, small and medium industries, and youth of western Uttar Pradesh.

The Uttar Pradesh government has set up several industrial corridors along the airport, among them data centres, a semiconductor unit (HCL-Foxconn), a medical devices park, an apparel park and a toy manufacturing park.

The HCL-Foxconn joint venture established a ₹3,706 crore semiconductor plant in Sector 28. The Medical Device Park is a Rs 439.40 crore project in Sector 28 with a Rs 100 crore central grant.

Taiwan City and Country-Specific Clusters

Taiwan City (Sector 6), along with Japan City (Sector 5A), Korean City (Sector 4A), and Singapore City (Sector 7), are part of planned future developments in the YEIDA region. The development is expected to create a dedicated ecosystem for Taiwanese investment and manufacturing in the Yamuna City region.

The Japanese city will be developed in Sector 5A of the expressway, while the Korean city will be established in Sector 4A. The development of these cities is expected to cost Rs 2,544 crore.

Aerotropolis Model and Master Plan 2041

YEIDA has received approval for its Master Plan 2041, which envisions the development of a high-level infrastructure hub designed for seamless connectivity and targets a population of 37 lakh within a 769-square-kilometer urbanizable area.

With an ultimate vision of five runways and a potential total investment of ₹36,000 crore, the airport is designed to function as a 'Mumbai 3.0'-style economic catalyst for the entire NCR south belt. The aerotropolis model draws from global examples like Incheon (South Korea) and Changi (Singapore), where airports anchor entire urban economies.

8,445 hectares have been earmarked for industrial and mixed-use development, while significant portions are dedicated to residential (6,806 hectares), green belts (5,544 hectares), and transport.

Sustainability & Infrastructure

Noida International Airport is designed as a sustainable and future-ready infrastructure project, aiming to operate as a net-zero emissions facility, integrating energy-efficient systems and environmentally responsible practices. As the nation's first net-zero emission airport, it blends 'Ghat-inspired' architectural aesthetics with carbon-neutral operations. The use of solar power, rainwater harvesting, and a 'circular economy' approach to waste makes it a global case study in green infrastructure.

What Comes Next

Commercial operations began on 15 June 2026. Jewar Airport is expected to start with limited domestic flights, with airlines such as IndiGo, Air India Express, and Akasa Air likely to be among the early operators. As operations stabilise, services are expected to expand to 24-hour operations, with international flights introduced in later phases.

After receiving an overwhelming response to its April 2026 residential plot scheme, YEIDA is planning to launch two new residential plot schemes near the Noida International Airport in October. Ultimate development is planned to include five runways with potential total investment of ₹36,000 crore.