Passengers will be able to board flights from Noida International Airport (NIA) from June 15, marking the launch of commercial operations at the new airport. Airport CEO Neetu Samra and Vice Chairman Christoph Schnellmann spoke to Neha LM Tripathi about the launch, connectivity plans, airline interest and the airport’s long-term growth strategy. Edited excerpts:
Can you talk about getting to the airport, as that is one of the most important factors for people when booking flights?
Samra: Just two days before this exciting day, let me tell you about the connection. The airport is strategically located and well connected via the Yamuna Expressway. It provides signal-free connectivity and can be reached in about 25 minutes from Greater Noida and 45 minutes from Noida. It is also well connected to Gurugram, Faridabad and other cities.
We have ensured that different modes of transportation are available to suit different budgets and requirements. These range from airport taxis and app-based taxi services to bus services. Buses will be available from different cities and states, including Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
Can you tell us about your plans for international operations? When can travelers expect it, and what kind of turnout can you expect?
Samra: We expect international operations to begin by the end of the year. On June 15, we will start with a small number of destinations and about six flights per day. From July onwards, the number will be increased to more than 20 destinations. As operations stabilize, more destinations will be added during the year. In terms of footfall for the first financial year, we expect traffic to range between 4.5 to 5 million passengers. As operations expand, we expect further growth and will continue to provide updates.
Apart from the airlines that have announced their services, are you in talks with other companies interested in operating from Noida?
Samra: Yes, we are in discussions with several airlines. IndiGo will begin operations first, followed by Akasa on June 16. We are also in talks with Air India and Air India Express, which we expect to start services sometime soon.
You are launching operations at a time when the domestic aviation industry is facing headwinds. Do you think this may impact the growth outlook for the first phase?
Christoph: We are incredibly confident about the growth prospects of aviation in India. During the development of this airport, we have faced several major disruptions, starting with the COVID-19 pandemic. We saw air traffic pick up remarkably quickly after that. Then we saw the war in Ukraine, and now the West Asia crisis, which has dramatically disrupted aviation globally. Clearly, the West Asian crisis makes things more difficult. We have seen airlines reduce capacity and lower traffic forecasts… The long-term impact is difficult to predict… but we remain confident in the resilience of India’s aviation industry. Demand for air travel remains strong, and our long-term growth forecasts for both the airport and the aviation sector remain unchanged.
One advantage that this airport was expected to offer is low fares. Critics say this advantage is lost due to high airport fees. So what is the USP of an airport?
Christoph: I don’t think that’s a valid assessment… We recognize the importance of maintaining cost competitiveness and have been intentional about this from day one in designing infrastructure and processes that enable users to perform operations quickly, easily and cost-effectively. We now see that the tariffs set as part of the regulatory tariff setting process are quite competitive, on par with other greenfield and greenfield projects across the country. I’m sure the tickets will be very competitive.
Do you see Delhi Airport as a competitor?
Christoph: I think the word “option” is important. With the opening of Noida International Airport, travelers to and from Delhi-NCR and western Uttar Pradesh now have a second option. We are excited to provide additional connectivity and greater choice for passengers.
What kind of international destinations can travelers expect from Noida?
Samra: International services will begin at the end of the year. We have received interest from several airlines for destinations in Southeast Asia, the UAE and several other international markets.
