Published: 27 March 2026PIB / DD News / The Week / News on AirEconomy
PM Modi Inaugurates Noida International Airport Phase I at Jewar — India's Newest Net-Zero Gateway
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Phase I of the Noida International Airport at Jewar, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, on March 28, 2026. Developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model with a Phase-I investment of approximately ₹11,200 crore (total project cost estimated at ₹29,560 crore), the airport's first terminal (T1) spans 1,00,000 square metres and is designed to handle 12 million passengers per annum (MPPA). A single 3,900-metre runway is operational in Phase I.
The airport is India's first net-zero emissions airport, incorporating renewable energy, natural lighting, and rainwater harvesting systems. It is designed to scale up to 70 MPPA upon full development across later phases. Strategically located about 72 km from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, it is intended to decongest the world's busiest air route corridor.
For Rajasthan, the opening of Jewar airport enhances multimodal connectivity for Jaipur and NCR-linked industrial corridors. The Rajasthan government's Industrial Park Promotion Policy 2026 is expected to leverage improved logistics from the expanded NCR aviation ecosystem.
0Mains angle
Q: Examine the strategic significance of Noida International Airport at Jewar as India's first net-zero emissions airport and its impact on NCR aviation infrastructure.
Answer (50 words):
PM Modi inaugurated Noida International Airport at Jewar on March 28, 2026 with ₹11,200 crore PPP investment. Its terminal handles 12 million passengers annually via a 3,900-metre runway, targeting 70 MPPA by 2036. India's first net-zero airport uses renewable energy, located 72 km from Delhi's IGI Airport.
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Linked questionMedium
The Noida International Airport's single Phase-I runway has what length?
Explanation · Correct answer CA single 3,900-metre runway is operational in Phase I, with terminal T1 of 1,00,000 sqm handling 12 MPPA, designed to grow to 70 MPPA by 2036.
Frequently asked questions
When was Noida International Airport inaugurated and what makes it unique in India?
PM Modi inaugurated Noida International Airport Phase I at Jewar, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh on March 28, 2026. It is India's first net-zero airport, designed to operate with net-zero carbon emissions through renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure, marking a significant milestone in green aviation for India.
What is the Phase I capacity and investment for Noida International Airport at Jewar?
Phase I of Noida International Airport involves an investment of ₹11,200 crore and has been built with a passenger handling capacity of 12 Million Passengers Per Annum (MPPA). The runway is 3,900 metres long. The long-term target is to expand to 70 MPPA capacity by 2036 across multiple phases.
Who is developing Noida International Airport and under what arrangement?
Noida International Airport is being developed by Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd (YIAPL), a consortium led by Zurich Airport International AG. The airport is being built under a public-private partnership model, with YIAPL awarded the concession to develop and operate the airport.
How will Noida International Airport benefit the Delhi-NCR region?
Strategically located near the Yamuna Expressway in Jewar, the airport is expected to significantly decongest Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi, which is among the busiest airports in Asia. It will boost NCR's air connectivity, support UDAN regional connectivity, and catalyse economic development in western UP and the NCR region.
What is a 'net-zero airport' and why is it significant in the context of Indian aviation?
A net-zero airport operates in a way that its total carbon emissions are offset or eliminated — achieved through solar power, energy-efficient design, sustainable building materials, and carbon offset programmes. Noida International Airport being India's first net-zero airport is significant because India's aviation sector is growing rapidly, and sustainable aviation infrastructure is critical to meeting India's climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
