Noida International Airport, envisioned as one of Asia’s largest greenfield aviation projects, is once again under regulatory scrutiny—this time not for runway readiness or terminal capacity, but for who is in charge.
India’s Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has formally objected to the appointment of a foreign national as the airport’s chief executive officer, citing aviation security rules that require greenfield airports to be led by Indian nationals. The issue was raised at a recent high-level meeting attended by the civil aviation minister, according to officials familiar with the discussions.
The airport’s CEO, Christoph Schnellmann, a Swiss national, leads operations at a project that has already missed multiple opening deadlines. Regulators say the concern is not merely procedural but touches the core of India’s aviation security architecture.
Security Rules, Clearances, and a Two-Year Compliance Gap
Under BCAS regulations issued in January 2011, the chief executive of a greenfield airport must be an Indian citizen. The role carries additional responsibilities beyond corporate management: the CEO also functions as the airport’s security coordinator, charged with implementing and enforcing all aviation security protocols.
Officials say the violation is compounded by the absence of mandatory security clearances. Neither the CEO nor the chief operating officer has received approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), nor completed BCAS vetting—both of which are prerequisites for executives with access to sensitive operational systems.
According to officials, the non-compliance was identified nearly two years ago, and a show-cause notice was issued to the airport operator. Despite this, no corrective action followed, prompting renewed attention from aviation security authorities.
A Flagship Project, Managed From Abroad
The airport, located in Jewar in Uttar Pradesh, is being developed as the NCR’s second major international hub after Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. In October 2020, the project was awarded to Zurich Airport International AG, which is developing and operating the facility through its Indian subsidiary, Yamuna International Airport Private Limited, under a 40-year public-private partnership.
Oversight on behalf of the state government rests with Noida International Airport Limited, a government-owned special purpose vehicle. The arrangement reflects India’s broader strategy of attracting global airport operators to modernise infrastructure—while still operating within domestic security frameworks.
That balance is now under strain, with regulators signalling that leadership structure cannot override national aviation security norms, regardless of project scale or foreign investment.
Delays, Technical Concerns, and an Uncertain Timeline
The leadership issue comes amid a series of operational setbacks. On December 12, the airport issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) extending its unavailability for commercial operations until January 31, 2026, making a February launch the earliest realistic target. The airport was originally scheduled to open in September 2024 and has since missed at least three deadlines.
Beyond management concerns, technical issues remain unresolved. The Airports Authority of India has flagged a steel wall constructed near the Doppler Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (DVOR) system—a critical navigation aid for aircraft. Officials warned that the structure could interfere with signal accuracy during approach and departure, posing potential flight safety risks. BCAS has asked the operator to replace it with a permanent, compliant structure.
The airport is also yet to receive its aerodrome licence from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, a mandatory clearance before passenger services can begin.
In a statement, the airport operator said it is working closely with BCAS and the DGCA to secure all approvals and stressed that safety and security remain “non-negotiable priorities.”
For regulators, the episode underscores a larger tension facing India’s infrastructure push: how to integrate global expertise while enforcing domestic rules designed for national security. For Noida International Airport, the answer may determine not just when it opens—but under whose leadership.
