Asia’s largest airport: Noida’s long-awaited international airport set to open

NIA is dubbed as Asia’s largest international airport, the $3.46-billion facility will have a capacity of 70 million passengers per year when fully operational.  

At 3,296 acres (1,334 hectares), NIA is projected to be the largest airport in Asia once fully developed, including all planned phases. 

Construction is now entering its final phase of development, with over 80%of construction work already completed.

India’s Noida International Airport is about to redefine air travel, and will serve as a major aviation hub in Northern India, initially serving 12 million passengers (Phase 1), with a 21-minute bullet train to Delhi, with an eco-smart and culturally-inspired design.

The opening was announced following review by Uttar Pradesh Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta “Nandi". 

It's the third miss for the airport's scheduled opening.

The opening schedule was slated on September 29, 2024. Construction delays, terminal building works, and pending multi-agency approvals caused the deadline to be postponed to April 25, 2025, then to June 30, 2025, and subsequently to the current November 2025 timeline. 

The Covid-19 pandemic also contributed to a late start and slower pace of construction.

Additionally, approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) are still awaited, which are critical for the airport to begin commercial operations, as per Aviation A2Z.

The runway and airside infrastructure have surpassed 90% completion, and terminal construction is progressing steadily, as per the review. The airport is being developed in four phases with a total investment of around ₹29,650 crore ($3.46 billion). 

The first phase, costing over ₹10,000 crore, will handle 12 million passengers annually with one runway and one terminal building.

By the fourth phase, expected around 2040, the airport’s capacity will scale up to 70 million passengers annually, making it the fourth largest airport in the world by area and passenger capacity.

Noida International Airport is strategically located about 75 km from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, serving the National Capital Region (NCR) and connecting cities like Noida, Agra, and Dadri.

It is expected to alleviate traffic from the heavily congested Delhi airport and serve as a major gateway for northern India.

The airport will feature a state-of-the-art ground transportation centre, integrating metro, bus, taxi, and private vehicle access. 

A planned high-speed rail link between Delhi and Varanasi will reduce travel time to the airport to just 21 minutes, enhancing connectivity. 

A significant cargo hub is also being developed in partnership with Air India SATS, designed to handle over 100,000 tonnes of cargo annually at launch, with future expansion plans.

Environmental considerations include relocating over 580 mature trees and creating an eight-acre forest buffer zone. The terminal’s architecture will reflect North Indian cultural heritage with a focus on natural light and energy efficiency.

Uttar Pradesh’s Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’ emphasised that the current government is committed to ensuring the airport project moves beyond planning to real execution, signalling a renewed momentum in infrastructure development.

Once fully operational, Noida International Airport will be Asia’s largest airport and a transformative aviation hub for northern India, boosting regional connectivity, economic growth, and tourism.

Noida International Airport's completion will mark a major advancement in India’s aviation infrastructure, serving millions of passengers and cargo annually while becoming a key hub in Asia.