The long-awaited dream of flights taking off from the Noida International Airport at Jewar appears to be delayed once again. While the airport was expected to receive its aerodrome licence and begin commercial operations by the end of December 2025, critical security-related issues have prevented the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) from granting the mandatory approval. As per the latest assessment, commercial flight operations are now almost certain to commence only in 2026.
Aerodrome licence stuck over security clearances
An aerodrome licence is mandatory for airport operations and is issued by the DGCA only after all security clearances from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) are completed. This is where the Jewar airport project has run into serious hurdles.
https://the420.in/fcrf-certified-grc-professional-program-governance-risk-compliance-training-india/
The most significant issue is the pending security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs for the airport’s Chief Executive Officer, Christoph Schnellmann, a Swiss national, and the Chief Operating Officer. BCAS has flagged this as a serious violation of greenfield airport norms, which require the CEO to be an Indian citizen or to obtain special security clearance. The issue is not new; a show-cause notice was issued nearly two years ago.
Technical and security gaps add to delays
Apart from top-level security clearances, several technical and infrastructure deficiencies have also delayed the licensing process:
- Incomplete perimeter wall construction
- Lack of clear security segregation in passenger areas
- Inadequate lighting and CCTV coverage on watchtowers
- Pending final certification of bomb detection equipment by CISF
Without satisfactory compliance reports on these points, the DGCA cannot issue the licence.
Licence in January 2026? Unlikely
Although recent high-level meetings at the Secretary (Civil Aviation) level have accelerated the process, aviation experts believe that obtaining the aerodrome licence by January 2026 remains unlikely. As of the end of December 2025, key clearances are still pending, pushing the timeline further.
No flights immediately after inauguration
It is also clear that flight operations will not begin immediately after the inauguration. Even after the licence is granted, processes such as ORAAT (Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer) trials, coordination with airlines, and phased operational roll-out will take several weeks. As per earlier plans, international operations are expected only around mid-2026.
CM’s announcement vs ground reality
During the concluding day of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly’s winter session on December 24, 2025, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that the Noida International Airport would be inaugurated in January 2026, calling it a symbol of “Uttar Pradesh’s momentum” and the state’s fifth international airport.
However, aviation experts emphasise that inauguration and commercial operations are two distinct processes. While an inauguration may take place after licensing, passenger flights could still take weeks or even months to commence.
Project ready, awaiting the green signal
The first phase of the Jewar airport is designed to handle 12 million passengers annually and is expected to significantly ease pressure on Delhi’s IGI Airport once operational. Despite initial delays, the project is largely ready. All eyes are now on the pending security clearances and the DGCA licence, which will finally determine when air travel from Jewar can formally begin.
Another major hurdle in operations
The lack of mandatory security clearance for CEO Christoph Schnellmann (Swiss national) and the COO from the Ministry of Home Affairs remains a major obstacle. BCAS has termed this a violation of greenfield airport regulations, which require the CEO to be an Indian citizen or to have special clearance. The issue has been pending for nearly two years, during which a show-cause notice was also issued.
