Noida International Airport (NIA) Pushes For Policy Revisions Ahead Of 2025 Launch
Originally scheduled to open in December 2024, NIA's launch has been postponed to April 2025
Noida International Airport (NIA), slated to commence flight operations in April 2025, has called for a revision of government policies on bilateral rights and the designation of a separate "point of call" status to attract international airlines. The airport, envisioned as the second gateway for the National Capital Region, seeks to enhance its connectivity potential.
As per media reports, industry experts have highlighted the challenge, stating, "Why will an international airline remove their existing capacity from Delhi airport and deploy it for Noida International Airport unless the seat capacity is raised?"
Originally scheduled to open in December 2024, NIA's launch has been postponed to April 2025. The airport's management is lobbying for adjustments, particularly in light of requests from countries like Dubai, Qatar, and Singapore, which are seeking increased seat allocations for flights to India.
However, the Indian government remains cautious, citing concerns that foreign airlines routing passengers through transit hubs like Dubai and Doha could undermine the market for Indian carriers on long-haul routes. Although recent revisions have allowed additional flights between India and destinations such as the U.K. and Thailand, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has been reluctant to extend a separate "point of call" status to NIA, arguing that such designations apply to cities rather than individual airports.
The Ministry referenced Goa, where both the new Mopa airport and the older Dabolim airport share a point of call status. Officials suggest a similar approach for NIA and Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.
Despite this, industry experts argue that Noida International Airport's case is unique due to its role as a second airport for the NCR, a necessity highlighted by IGI's nearing capacity limits. Calls for a level playing field and clearer status through a Memorandum of Understanding with various jurisdictions are growing as the airport's launch approaches.
