Uttar Pradesh’s to be the first state to have five International Airports. The fifth one coming up at Jewar in Noida will offer unparalleled air connectivity:

By Editor in Chief On Mar 19, 2025

Until 2012, the state of Uttar Pradesh had only two international airports: Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport and Varanasi’s Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport. These two hubs served as the primary gateways for international travel to and from the state for many years.

However, the aviation landscape in Uttar Pradesh has undergone a significant transformation in the past decade, with the addition of multiple new international airports, vastly improving connectivity for both domestic and international travelers.

Expansion of International Airports in Uttar Pradesh

2021: The Kushinagar International Airport was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 20. This airport was primarily developed to cater to Buddhist tourism, given the religious and historical significance of Kushinagar as one of the most revered sites in Buddhism.
2023: The Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya became operational, further strengthening air connectivity within the state. Ayodhya, being a major religious and cultural center, especially for Hindus, is expected to witness a surge in both domestic and international visitors due to the improved accessibility provided by the airport.

The Noida International Airport – A Game Changer

The most anticipated addition to Uttar Pradesh’s aviation infrastructure is the Noida International Airport, located at Jewar. This airport, nearing completion, is set to become the fifth international airport in the state, marking a significant milestone in the development of air travel facilities in India’s most populous state.

Once operational, the Noida International Airport will serve as the second major airport in the Delhi-NCR region, working alongside the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in Delhi. The airport is strategically located approximately 72 kilometers from IGI, which will play a crucial role in reducing congestion at Delhi’s primary airport while simultaneously catering to the ever-increasing passenger and cargo demands in the region.

Key Features of the Noida International Airport

Massive Scale & Passenger Handling: Spread across an expansive area of 1,334 hectares, the airport is being developed to accommodate 12 million passengers annually in its initial phase. With further expansions planned, its capacity will increase significantly in the coming years.
Major Cargo & Logistics Hub: The airport is being designed as a crucial logistics center, with the ability to handle approximately 250,000 tonnes of cargo per year. This feature will position it as a major player in India’s supply chain and transportation ecosystem, making it a key hub for both domestic and international trade.
High Aircraft Movement Capacity: Once fully operational, the airport is expected to support nearly 100,000 aircraft movements annually, further improving regional and global air connectivity.
State-of-the-Art Infrastructure: The terminal building, covering 100,000 square meters, will be equipped with world-class amenities, ensuring a seamless and efficient travel experience for passengers. Additionally, the airport will feature 28 aircraft stands, enhancing its operational efficiency.
Dedicated Maintenance & Repair Hub: A 40-acre Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility is also being developed as part of the airport’s infrastructure. This facility will play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of aircraft and reducing dependency on external maintenance services.

A New Benchmark in Indian Aviation

With five operational international airports, Uttar Pradesh is setting a new benchmark for air connectivity within India. This rapid expansion in aviation infrastructure is expected to boost tourism, attract business investments, and provide better accessibility to various regions across the country and the world.

The Noida International Airport, in particular, is a testament to India’s commitment to developing world-class infrastructure. Once completed, it will not only ease air travel in the Delhi-NCR region but will also contribute to the overall economic growth of Uttar Pradesh and India as a whole.

By strengthening regional and global connectivity, these developments mark the beginning of a new era in India’s aviation sector, ensuring a more seamless and efficient travel experience for millions of passengers in the years to come.