NOIDA, June 16, 2026, 23:33 (IST)
- Noida International Airport started commercial flights on June 15, with IndiGo flying in from Lucknow and sending out its first plane to Bengaluru.
- Farmers who provided land for the project got seats on the first flight, making the launch a symbolic event for Jewar.
- Travel time, cab fares and nagging navigation snags are shaping up as an early test for the new airport’s passenger appeal.
Noida International Airport started scheduled flights this week at Jewar, moving from years of promises to actual operations. The first passengers went through the terminal, exposing both the airport’s scale and some immediate issues on the ground. IndiGo said it was the first airline in the National Capital Region to operate at the new airport on June 15, landing a flight from Lucknow and then taking off for Bengaluru. The operator had already announced June 15 as the start for commercial service, setting up a new point of entry for travelers, airlines, and cargo across NCR and North India. IndiGo Noida International Airport
Noida airport kicked off with a nod to its local roots. About 170 farmers—some women among them—were put on a special early flight to Lucknow, The Telegraph reported, after their land had gone to the airport project. One of them, Harish Pandit, summed it up: “I used to plough this land with a tractor. Today, I will fly to Lucknow from this land.” The airport is billed to improve air links in western Uttar Pradesh, but on day one, passengers were already sizing it up on more than just runway numbers—they looked hard at the drive to the terminal too. Telegraph India
Distance became the big issue for Delhi flyers right after opening. NDTV said social media users quickly compared Jewar with Indira Gandhi International Airport, pointing out that driving from central Delhi to Jewar takes anywhere from 90 minutes to over two hours, traffic depending. Cab prices and Yamuna Expressway tolls came up too. According to some travellers, these erase most of the benefits of lower ticket prices. Times of India listed its own first-day problems, with digital maps steering some passengers to the cargo side near Kishorpur village and not the terminal. Ndtv The Times of India
Commercial services are now opening at Noida International Airport as Travel Food Services launched quick-service dining spots and the Travel Club Lounge. The company said this expands its airport network to 21 locations in India, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. “We’re proud to be part of it from the beginning,” managing director and CEO Varun Kapur said. Vice-chairman Christoph Schnellmann said Noida’s focus was on a “seamless and enjoyable experience” for travelers. ETHospitalityWorld.com
Noida International Airport’s first phase has a single runway and one terminal set for 12 million passengers a year, but plans are mapped for expansion to handle over 70 million. The Press Information Bureau put Phase I investment at ₹11,200 crore. The airport is meant to ease pressure on Delhi’s IGI Airport by serving as the region’s second international option. Akasa Air will begin daily direct flights between Noida and both Bengaluru and Navi Mumbai from June 16, and plans to set up its own MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) facility on site. Noida International Airport Press Information Bureau Akasa Air
Connectivity is up next. Economic Times says Uber, Ola and Rapido have set up booths at the terminal, offering budget cabs to Noida Sector 18 for about ₹1,000–₹1,200, with premium fares costing more. UPSRTC buses are running too, but travelers still need a shuttle from the airport gate to the terminal. Jewar’s launch is turning into a contest between growing airlines, airport retail, and the transit options that decide if the airport is easy enough for regular passengers. Economictimes
