A major development has emerged for millions of residents across Delhi-NCR and western Uttar Pradesh. After months of anticipation, the launch date and initial routes for commercial operations at the Noida International Airport in Jewar have reportedly been finalised.
According to media reports, regular commercial flight services from the airport are expected to begin on June 15. Budget carrier IndiGo is likely to become the first airline to start operations from the airport and is also expected to open ticket bookings from today.
As the countdown to the first flight begins, a key question is now being asked by travellers across Noida, Ghaziabad and Meerut: which airport will be more convenient, Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport or the new Noida International Airport in Jewar?
First commercial flights likely from June 15
The first commercial flight from Noida International Airport is expected to take off on June 15. IndiGo is reportedly set to launch services initially on major domestic routes including Lucknow, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
Authorities are also preparing to operate four special flights on the inauguration day. The likely routes include:
- Lucknow to Noida
- Noida to Bengaluru
- Mumbai route
- Other cities in South India
According to preliminary details, the Lucknow-Noida flight may depart at 7:05 am and land at 8:05 am. The starting fare is expected to be around Rs 10,000. Tickets for the Bengaluru route may begin at over Rs 8,000.
For Noida residents: Jewar or Delhi Airport?
For people living in Noida, the better airport option will largely depend on their location within the city.
Residents of areas such as Sector 18, Sector 62, Sector 137 and City Centre may still find Delhi's IGI Airport more accessible. Reaching IGI from these areas generally takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
However, for those living in Greater Noida, Sector 150 and areas along the Yamuna Expressway, the Jewar airport could prove to be a major advantage.
Travellers from these regions will be able to reach the airport in around 45 to 50 minutes through the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway and Yamuna Expressway. Since the route is largely signal-free, commuters are expected to face significantly less traffic compared to the journey towards Delhi Airport.
In comparison, travelling to IGI Airport from these areas can often take between 1 and 1.5 hours because of heavy congestion near DND and central Delhi routes.
Ghaziabad residents may still prefer IGI
For now, Delhi's IGI Airport appears to remain the more practical choice for most people living in Ghaziabad.
Areas such as Indirapuram, Vaishali and Raj Nagar Extension already have strong road and metro connectivity to Delhi Airport. Using the Delhi-Meerut Expressway and Ring Road, the distance to IGI is around 44 kilometres and can usually be covered in nearly 1 hour and 20 minutes under normal traffic conditions.
On the other hand, the distance from Ghaziabad to Jewar Airport is estimated to be between 74 and 80 kilometres. Even via the Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE), the journey may take anywhere between 1.5 and 1.75 hours.
However, experts believe that improved infrastructure projects such as the RRTS corridor and future expressway expansion could eventually make Jewar a more attractive option for Ghaziabad residents as well.
Meerut faces a close choice between both airports
For travellers from Meerut, both airports are almost equally distant, though Delhi Airport currently enjoys an advantage because of better connectivity.
The Delhi-Meerut Expressway and the Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) have significantly reduced travel time to Delhi. The nearly 90-kilometre journey to IGI Airport can now be completed in around 1.5 to 2 hours.
Meanwhile, the distance from Meerut to Jewar Airport is estimated to be around 110 to 120 kilometres, with travel time also close to two hours through expressway routes.
In the future, as western Uttar Pradesh's road and rail infrastructure expands further, Jewar Airport is expected to emerge as a strong alternative for Meerut travellers.
Flight schedule and expansion plans
Noida International Airport's first commercial operations are expected to begin on June 15.
Key Details:
- The inaugural commercial flight is likely to operate between Lucknow and Noida.
- Starting fare for the route may be around Rs 10,000.
- Four special IndiGo flights are expected on the opening day, including Bengaluru services.
- Bengaluru fares may start at around Rs 8000.
- In the initial phase, the airport is expected to connect directly with 16 cities including Jammu, Srinagar, Dharamshala, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai.
From July 1 onward, operations are likely to expand significantly, with nearly 28 aircraft movements, including take-offs and landings, expected every day.
Jewar Airport expected to transform Western UP
The Noida International Airport is being developed not just as an airport, but as one of India's largest aviation and logistics hubs.
Its launch is expected to benefit lakhs of residents across Delhi-NCR and western Uttar Pradesh by reducing dependence on Delhi's IGI Airport for domestic and international travel.
The project is also expected to boost trade, investment, tourism and the real estate sector in the region. Tourist destinations such as Agra, Mathura and Vrindavan may also become more accessible for domestic and international travellers once connectivity improves further.