Which Indian State Will Be the First to Have Five International Airports? – News18
Last Updated:
Which Indian state will soon have five international airports, including the country’s largest?
Not only that, but NIA is also poised to become India’s largest airport, promising state-of-the-art facilities and a boost to regional connectivity.
India’s travel infrastructure has been expanding rapidly in recent years, with new airports and railway routes enhancing connectivity across the country. Among the many developments, one state is set to achieve a remarkable milestone—Uttar Pradesh will soon be the only Indian state with five international airports.
The upcoming Noida International Airport (NIA) at Jewar will be the state’s fifth international airport, further strengthening its position as a major aviation hub. Not only that, but NIA is also poised to become India’s largest airport, promising state-of-the-art facilities and a boost to regional connectivity.
Uttar Pradesh’s Journey to Five International Airports
Until 2012, Uttar Pradesh had only two international airports: Lucknow (Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport) and Varanasi (Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport). The state’s aviation landscape changed significantly in the following years:
2021: The Kushinagar International Airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 20, catering primarily to Buddhist tourism.
2023: The Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya became operational, further enhancing air connectivity in the region.
2024: The highly anticipated Noida International Airport at Jewar is nearing completion and will soon be operational, making it the fifth international airport in Uttar Pradesh.
With this expansion, Uttar Pradesh is set to offer unparalleled air connectivity, making travel easier for both domestic and international passengers.
Noida International Airport: A Game-Changer for Indian Aviation
The Noida International Airport is expected to be a landmark project, serving as the second major airport in the Delhi-NCR region, alongside Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI). Located approximately 72 km from IGI, this airport will significantly ease congestion at Delhi’s primary airport while catering to growing passenger and cargo demands.
Here’s what makes Noida International Airport a game-changer:
Massive Scale: Spread over 1,334 hectares, the airport is designed to handle 12 million passengers annually in its first phase.
Cargo & Logistics Hub: The facility will manage around 250,000 tonnes of cargo per year, making it a crucial player in India’s logistics and supply chain ecosystem.
Flight Operations: It is expected to support around 100,000 aircraft movements annually.
World-Class Infrastructure: The terminal will cover 100,000 square meters and feature 28 aircraft stands.
Maintenance & Repair Hub: A dedicated 40-acre Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility is also being developed to support aviation operations.
The Future of Air Travel in Uttar Pradesh
With five operational international airports, Uttar Pradesh is setting a benchmark for air connectivity in India. This expansion will not only enhance tourism and business opportunities but also improve accessibility to different parts of the country and the world.
The upcoming Noida International Airport is a testament to India’s commitment to developing world-class infrastructure, and its completion will mark a new era of growth for the country’s aviation sector.
