Jewar Airport Set for Inauguration, Confirms Civil Aviation Minister.

Jewar Airport in Uttar Pradesh has been granted an aerodrome licence and is set to commence operations soon, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu informed the Rajya Sabha recently. The Noida International Airport at Jewar, once operational, is expected to become a major aviation hub in the region.

Replying to supplementary questions during Question Hour, the minister said the typical time from the grant of an aerodrome licence to the start of operations is 45 days to two months. “We are approaching airlines to plan their schedules and are also planning a big inauguration to promote the airport,” Naidu said.

The minister also highlighted India’s rapid expansion of airport infrastructure over the last 12 years, with the number of operational airports rising from 74 in 2014 to 166 today, a pace unmatched globally. He noted that the government aims to extend airport connectivity to even the remotest parts of the country, guided by the vision of the UDAN scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016.

Naidu also addressed the status of airports in Telangana, including the historic Mamnoor Airport in Warangal, which is being expanded to accommodate wide-body aircraft following the acquisition of an additional 250 acres of land. The government is also exploring greenfield airports at Kothagudem and Adilabad to enhance regional connectivity.

Under the modified UDAN scheme, the government plans to connect 120 new destinations, catering to 4 crore passengers over the next 10 years. Out of the 24 greenfield airports approved under the Greenfield Airports Policy (2008), 13 have already become operational, including projects in Durgapur, Shirdi, Kannur, Pakyong, Kalaburagi, Orvakal, Sindhudurg, Kushinagar, Itanagar, Mopa, Shivamogga, Hirasar (Rajkot), and Navi Mumbai.

India is currently the third-largest domestic aviation market, and the minister underscored that the government’s initiatives aim to create a conducive ecosystem for airlines, airports, MROs, and flying training organisations, ensuring sustainable growth in the sector.