The inaugural flight was marked by the passengers on board, farmers from the Jewar district whose lands were used to build the airport.
Noida International Airport began scheduled commercial operations on Monday, with its first flight landing from Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow at 7:55 am. Subsequently, the first inaugural flight from Jewar to Lucknow also took off from the airport, carrying the same villagers who had provided land for the facility.
The special delegation of farmers, traveling to Lucknow, will attend a program where they will meet UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
The first flight to land at Noida airport was Indigo 6E-2278, which departed from Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow and arrived at Noida International Airport on Monday morning.
Read also | The first flight lands at Noida Airport in Jewar as commercial operations begin
Regular flight services on the Lucknow-Noida route are scheduled to start from July 1, 2026, news agency ANI reported.
What did the farmers say?
The inaugural flight from Noida International Airport carried several families whose ancestral lands had become part of the airport’s first phase, giving them an opportunity to witness first-hand the transformation of their former farmland into a major aviation project.
Read also | Noida International Airport Takes Off: How It Could Impact Real Estate Prices, Housing Demand and Office Markets
Among the passengers was Abrar Khan, who described the flight as an emotional milestone. “We are extremely happy and compelled to fly on the first flight from Noida International Airport to Lucknow. What we envisioned has become a reality in front of us today,” he told news agency PTI.
Khan said the invitation to travel on the inaugural flight came from the Prime Minister and described it as a “matter of honour”.
For Hira Rashid, a young man residing in a nearby village, the occasion was also unforgettable. “We will experience the first flight. It is free for us, and we will meet Prime Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow,” she said, describing it as a historic moment.
A farmer in his mid-60s, who was also among the passengers, said he had given 30 bigha of land for the airport project and was happy to see development in the area. Meanwhile, he said, “They also promised us a job but we have not got it yet.”
Another woman traveling on the plane said her selection for the inaugural flight was a source of pride for the villagers.
Noida Airport begins commercial operations
At present, many passengers traveling between Noida and Lucknow use flights operating through Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport or travel by road.
Officials view the new airline as a major development for the aviation sector in Uttar Pradesh. It aims to improve communication between the administrative and commercial centers of the state.
(With ANI and PTI inputs)
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgment and a clear understanding of what makes a story important and action-driven. An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya strikes a thoughtful balance between news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring that stories resonate beyond the immediate headlines. Over the course of her three-year journey in digital news, Shivya has worked across a wide range of industries, including politics, civic issues, human interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to engage with stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is analyzing complex developments or shedding light on everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human interest stories, interviews and explainers that provide depth and clarity, and aims to go beyond superficial reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Before joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a wide range of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism. Outside of the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cozy spaces, and thoughtful conversation. Shopping is another hobby she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of making unexpected finds. Above all, she values the time she spends with her loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that last a long time.Read more
