NOIDA: Delhi-NCR, already India’s biggest aviation hub, became bigger on Monday with flight services starting at Noida International Airport.Between big brother IGIA and NIA, passenger capacity of the two international airports taken together is now around 12 crore per annum (10. 8cr IGI and 1. 2cr NIA first phase), giving the megapolis the kind of capacity it will need to cater to its growing population, aspirations and economic opportunities.This does not take into account Hindon terminal in Ghaziabad, which will continue to operate as a limited third base, effectively making Delhi-NCR the only Indian metropolitan region to have three operational civil airports.For comparison, after Navi Mumbai airport opened last year, Mumbai’s annual flyer capacity rose to a maximum of around 7.5 crore.NIA potentially has a huge catchment because it does not just cater to NCR but also western UP districts. It hopes to, therefore, get both business and leisure travellers.The airport’s first touchdown was an IndiGo flight from Lucknow at 8. 05am, while its first commercial departure was a Bengaluru flight that took off at 8. 35am. In between, a special flight carried around 170 farmers, including 28 women, and some government officers from Noida to Lucknow.These were farmers who gave land for the airport. Union civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu flagged off this special flight. In Lucknow, chief minister Yogi Adityanath met the farmers and expressed gratitude to them for their contribution in turning Noida Airport into reality.“This is a double-engine govt. It does what it says. It delivers on whatever it promises, and in future too, you will not have to feel disappointed or disillusioned with the double-engine govt,” the CM said.He also stressed the benefits the cargo hub could bring to farmers by providing direct access to international markets for their produce.“Whether it is vegetables, fruits, crops or fish, farmers will be able to export their produce through the cargo facility. A mango that sells for Rs 50 per kg in the local market can fetch Rs 800 to Rs 1,000 in international markets. Even after transportation costs, farmers can receive significantly better returns for their produce,” he said.Naidu said that there is immense possibility in Noida. “This is why govt has developed this international airport. This is a catchment area. There is excitement among people, industries and airlines. In the coming days, international flights will also start from Noida.”IndiGo did not share the total footfall on the inaugural day, but said that launching operations to and from NIA marked a significant milestone for the company in further strengthening regional connectivity and enhancing travel options for customers across Delhi-NCR and western Uttar Pradesh.IndiGo will directly connect the airport to over 16 destinations across India.Aloke Singh, chief strategy officer for IndiGo, said, “The opening of Noida International Airport marks a new chapter in India’s aviation story. Delhi-NCR now joins a select group of global megacities served by multiple airports. For IndiGo, the privilege of being the launch carrier at NIA is more than a commercial milestone; it is a commitment to western Uttar Pradesh, to the broader Delhi-NCR, and the millions of travellers for whom this gateway opens new possibilities. We are proud to be here from day one.”Christoph Schnellmann, vice-chairman of Noida International Airport, said, “Today is a proud moment for everyone who has contributed to making Noida International Airport a reality. We are delighted to welcome our first passengers and flight operations. From the outset, our focus has been on creating an airport that combines operational excellence with an outstanding customer experience.”“We are excited that IndiGo has launched operations at the airport today, and we look forward to providing passengers with a smooth, hassle-free experience in an airport that reflects the hospitality, culture and character of this region,” he added.Actor Gul Panag was among the passengers on the first direct flight between Lucknow and Noida. But it was a young passenger, three-year-old Safa Shakir Abid dressed as a pilot, who was the showstopper on Day 1.The Mumbai-based family took the inaugural flight from Lucknow to Noida. They had done the same last year when Navi Mumbai airport was inaugurated.
