Noida's Jewar Airport to be renamed as Narendra Modi International Airport
JEWAR: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced that the state Cabinet has approved a proposal to rename the Noida International Airport at Jewar as Narendra Modi International Airport, Noida-Jewar, recognising the Prime Minister’s contribution to the development of the major aviation infrastructure project.
Located in Jewar in Gautam Buddha Nagar district, the greenfield airport is being developed as a major aviation hub for the National Capital Region (NCR), complementing Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and helping accommodate the region’s growing air traffic demand.
Developed through a public-private partnership involving Yamuna International Airport Private Limited, a subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG, and the Uttar Pradesh government, the airport combines international aviation expertise with Indian architectural influences.
The project is designed to strengthen air connectivity, support economic activity and improve passenger access to the NCR. Its connectivity through the Yamuna Expressway and planned multimodal transport links is expected to make it accessible to travellers from Noida, Greater Noida, Delhi and surrounding areas. The airport is also intended to ease pressure on Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, which serves as the region’s principal aviation gateway.
The first phase of the airport features a single runway and a passenger terminal designed to handle up to 12 million passengers annually. The longer-term development plan envisages multiple runways and expanded facilities, with capacity projected to reach up to 70 million passengers per year by 2050.
The runway is equipped with an Instrument Landing System (ILS) at both ends, allowing aircraft to approach and land from either direction depending on prevailing wind conditions. Modern passenger facilities and security infrastructure are also part of the airport’s design.
The first phase was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 28, 2026, and commercial operations commenced in June. The airport’s first flight, an IndiGo service arriving from Lucknow, landed on June 15. The second phase is expected to become operational in 2031–32.
Announcing the Cabinet’s decision at a press conference in Lucknow, Adityanath expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for the airport project, describing it as a significant addition to Uttar Pradesh’s infrastructure.
“The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet is grateful to the Prime Minister for gifting the state the Noida International Airport at Jewar, which will be the largest airport in Uttar Pradesh and is set to become the country’s largest aviation hub in the future. The Cabinet also approves a proposal to name the Noida International Airport ‘Narendra Modi International Airport, Noida-Jewar’,” the Chief Minister said.
The proposed renaming places the airport within the broader context of infrastructure development and the state government’s emphasis on improving connectivity and strengthening Uttar Pradesh’s economic potential.
During the press conference, Adityanath also referred to several cultural, religious and development initiatives undertaken in the state. These included the hoisting of a religious flag at a temple, the expansion of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and improved connectivity through the Ganga Path. He highlighted the organisation of the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, the development of the Buddhist circuit and the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, initiatives aimed at promoting India’s cultural heritage and strengthening connections between different regions.
Other projects mentioned by the Chief Minister included the Sant Guru Ravidas Museum and statue, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Prerna Sthal in Gorakhpur, and the conferment of the Bharat Ratna on former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh.
The Jewar airport is a key component of Uttar Pradesh’s broader infrastructure development strategy. Its planned expansion, road connectivity and integration with other transport networks are expected to support passenger movement, cargo operations, investment and employment generation.
With its long-term capacity plans, the airport is positioned to become an important aviation facility for northern India. The proposed renaming as Narendra Modi International Airport, Noida-Jewar, now adds a political and symbolic dimension to a project intended to meet the region’s growing transportation needs.
