Noida International Airport in Jewar began commercial flight operations on Monday, June 15, 2026, marking a major milestone for Uttar Pradesh’s aviation network and the wider National Capital Region. The first commercial flight from Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport landed at the new airport at 8:05 am, officially opening passenger movement at the greenfield aviation hub.
The inaugural Lucknow-Noida service was operated by IndiGo, making the airline one of the first carriers to start operations from the Jewar airport. The return service, IndiGo flight 6E-2279, was scheduled to leave Noida at 6:55 pm and reach Lucknow around 8 pm. Officials said the launch service was part of the initial phase, while regular operations on the route are expected to begin later.
The first day of operations created an emotional moment inside the aircraft, with passengers reportedly applauding as the plane touched down at Noida International Airport. The new airport is expected to reduce dependence on Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and offer easier air connectivity for passengers from Noida, Greater Noida, western Uttar Pradesh and nearby NCR areas.
One of the important highlights of the inaugural phase was the participation of farmers who gave their land for the Jewar airport project. Around 170 to 172 farmers, including women farmers, were listed among the early passengers on a flight to Lucknow. Accompanied by Jewar MLA Dhirendra Singh, they were expected to meet Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as a gesture recognising their contribution to the airport’s development.
The launch of Noida International Airport is expected to strengthen air connectivity between Uttar Pradesh’s administrative and commercial centres. The first routes are focused on linking Jewar with Lucknow, Bengaluru and other destinations, with more services likely to be added in phases. Reports have also mentioned future connectivity plans involving cities such as Amritsar, Hyderabad and other regional destinations, depending on airline schedules and operational rollout.
Several senior officials and public representatives were expected to be present for the first day of operations. Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Jewar MLA Dhirendra Singh, Gautam Budh Nagar MP Mahesh Sharma, officials from Noida International Airport Limited and representatives of the Yamuna Authority were among those linked to the launch arrangements. Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana, Chief Secretary SP Goyal and other ministers were also expected to travel on the inaugural Lucknow-Noida flight.
Noida International Airport officials have set ambitious growth plans for the new aviation hub. The airport’s leadership has targeted five million passengers in the first year, while the long-term plan looks at expanding capacity to nearly 70 million passengers. The first phase is expected to handle a significant passenger load and support both airline and cargo operations as the airport develops further.
Security arrangements have also been strengthened at the airport. Officials said nearly 1,030 Central Industrial Security Force personnel have been deployed, while the UP Police has opened a dedicated airport police station. A police team, dog squads, firefighting units, medical emergency teams and quick reaction teams have also been positioned at the site.
The airport is being monitored through high-resolution CCTV cameras supported by AI-based surveillance, facial recognition, behaviour analysis and automatic detection of suspicious activity. These measures are aimed at ensuring safe passenger movement as commercial operations begin.
The opening of Noida International Airport is more than just a new flight route. It is expected to support regional economic growth, improve business travel, create fresh investment opportunities and ease travel pressure on Delhi airport. With passenger services now underway, Jewar airport is set to become a major aviation gateway for western Uttar Pradesh and the NCR region.
