SAURABH SHARMA NEW DELHI

The airport, which will start functioning by April 2025, is witnessing interests from airlines across the Middle East and Southeast Asia, says CEO Christoph Schnellmann.

- SAURABH SHARMA

The upcoming high stakes Noida International Airport (NIA) at Jewar in Western Uttar Pradesh is expected to take the Indian aviation industry to the skies, at a time when this market is showing tremendous growth, post the Covid-era.

Talking exclusively to The Sunday Guardian, NIA Chief Executive Officer, Christoph Schnellmann said that this mega project will have the blend of Indian warmth and hospitality with Swiss technology and efficiency.

He further said that “we are committed to developing a world-class airport with a strong focus on environmentally conscious development and an ambitious net zero emission philosophy” and that NIA will give a huge push to the Indian aviation sector. Excerpts:

Q: How many passengers can this airport handle annually? What are your expectations?

A: Noida International Airport (NIA) will be India’s leading greenfield airport in terms of customer service, efficiency, digital services, and logistics ecosystem with a commitment to minimal environmental impact. Combining Indian warmth tality with Swiss technology and efficiency, the airport will provide quick, efficient processes at the best value to passengers and airlines.

The first phase of Noida International Airport, featuring one runway and one terminal, will accommodate 12 million passengers annually. Upon completion of the fourth phase, the airport’s capacity will increase to 70 million passengers per year.

Q: There were talks about sustainability and net zero carbon emissions. Are any environmental clearances still pending?