Countdown to take-offs has begun at the upcoming Noida International Airport as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted the airport an aerodrome licence. With the airline regulatory body's nod, all the necessary regulatory approvals are now in place for the Jewar airport project. Rakesh Kumar Singh, CEO of Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL) and the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority, confirmed the developments.
Remaining operational arrangements to completed within....
NIAL’s nodal officer, Shailendra Bhatia, said the licence was issued in compliance with the civil aviation rules. It covers domestic flights and cargo operations, news agency PTI reported. Meanwhile, officials said the remaining operational steps are likely to be completed within 45 days. The Jewar airport is expected to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon.
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"Receiving the aerodrome license is a key milestone in our journey. It reflects the strong collaboration with our partners and the rigorous work undertaken to ensure readiness for commercial operations. We are committed to delivering a modern, efficient, and passenger-centric airport that will serve as a catalyst for regional economic growth," said Christoph Schnellmann, CEO of Noida International Airport (NIA).
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What does the aerodrome licence mean?
According to the Noida Airport authorities, the licence issued under Rule 78 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, certifies that the airport meets all the regulatory needs concerning operational rules, infrastructure, safety systems, emergency standards, and navigation aids mandated by the DGCA.
The aerodrome licence follows a nod from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) for in-country passenger operations, along with domestic and foreign cargo handling. Authorities said the approvals mark key advancements towards the Jewar airport’s operational readiness. However, commercial flights will start once the Aerodrome Security Programme (ASP) gets a final nod from BCAS.
"We look forward to receiving this approval in due course, following which airline schedules, ticket sales, and the formal inauguration will be announced closer to the launch of operations," the airport said in a statement.
The greenfield project, in Jewar, Gautam Buddh Nagar, is expected to become one of the largest airports in India once fully operational.