Noida International Airport: New Growth Engine for Western UP

Noida International Airport (NIA) is steadily taking shape as a major economic catalyst for western Uttar Pradesh, with its development strategy focused not only on aviation infrastructure but also on inclusive regional growth. From land acquisition to operations, the project has been guided by the principle that large-scale infrastructure must deliver long-term benefits to local communities, especially families in the Jewar region who contributed land for the airport.

At the heart of the project is a public-private partnership model. Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL) serves as the concessionaire responsible for developing and operating the airport, while Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL) acts as the project implementation agency on behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government. NIAL is a joint venture involving the state government along with NOIDA, GNIDA, and YEIDA, ensuring coordinated planning and execution.

Employment generation remains one of the airport’s most significant contributions. YIAPL has collaborated with more than 30 established companies, including Tata Projects, Indian Oil, Air India SATS, TFS, and the Bird Group. These partnerships are expected to create over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs at the airport. All roles are being offered in compliance with government norms, including minimum wages and statutory benefits such as provident fund, ESI, gratuity, bonuses, and leave entitlements.

• Over 5,000 jobs to be created through airport partnerships

• Special employment and training focus on project-affected families

• Designed as a net-zero, world-class greenfield airport

A dedicated focus has been placed on supporting Project Affected Families (PAF). To streamline access to employment, YIAPL, NIAL, and the district administration jointly launched an online career portal exclusively for PAF candidates. More than 180 candidates have already registered, and three special recruitment drives held in September, October, and December 2025 attracted over 300 participants. So far, 24 offer letters have been issued, with further hiring planned as operations scale up.

Skill development initiatives are reinforcing this employment push. YIAPL has upgraded infrastructure at ITI Jewar by renovating classrooms and sanitation facilities and equipping them with modern training tools. Two aviation-specific courses—passenger handling and ramp operations—were conducted between August and October 2025. Out of 28 students who completed the programs, 24 have already secured job offers.

In addition, nearly 100 youth from project-affected families have undergone training in communication skills, spoken English, workplace behaviour, and soft skills. These programs are set to continue regularly at ITI Jewar, supported by a joint monitoring committee comprising representatives from NIAL, YIAPL, and the district administration to ensure effective implementation.

Positioned as a greenfield airport, Noida International Airport (IATA: DXN) aims to enhance connectivity between Delhi-NCR, western Uttar Pradesh, and domestic and international destinations. Designed as a world-class facility combining Swiss operational efficiency with Indian hospitality, the airport is also committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions.

At inauguration, NIA will operate with one runway and one terminal, handling up to 12 million passengers annually. The 40-year concession period began on 1 October 2021, marking the start of what is expected to be a transformative chapter for the region’s economy.

YIAPL, a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG, is leading the airport’s development in collaboration with the Government of Uttar Pradesh and the Government of India. Together, these stakeholders aim to ensure that Noida International Airport becomes not just a transport hub, but a long-term driver of employment, skills, and sustainable growth for western Uttar Pradesh.