Why Is India Building Its LARGEST Airport?

Summary

India is constructing one of Asia's largest airports, Noida International Airport, near Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, to accommodate the soaring demand for air travel. Expected to handle 12 million passengers initially, it aims to expand to serve up to 120 million within 30 years. The project, led by Noida International Airport Limited and Zurich Airport AG, is part of India's push for global recognition and improved connectivity, showcasing the country's progress and addressing the needs of its emerging middle class.

Takeaways

• 🌍 India is constructing one of Asia's largest airports to accommodate the massive demand for air travel by its nearly 1.4 billion people.
• 🛫 The new airport, expected to be completed in 2024, is designed to handle 12 million passengers per year initially, with plans to expand to serve up to 120 million passengers annually over a 30-year period.
• ✈️ India's aviation industry is experiencing significant growth, with leading airlines ordering nearly 1,000 jets, reflecting an investment of tens of billions of dollars.
• 🚄 Despite a strong reliance on trains, with 20 rail journeys for every 20 flights, India is pushing for greater global recognition through massive aviation expansion.
• 🏙 The Noida International Airport, also known as Jewar Airport, is strategically planned to serve the National Capital Region (NCR) and alleviate traffic at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport.
• 🤝 The project is a public-private partnership, with Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL) leading on behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government, and Flughafen Zürich AG operating it for 40 years.
• 🚧 The airport's construction includes a 31-kilometer greenfield highway to connect it to the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, showcasing significant infrastructure development.
• 📈 The airport's initial phase will feature two runways, with future plans to expand to an eight-runway facility covering 7,200 acres.
• 📉 The project has faced challenges, including objections over its proximity to existing airports and ecological concerns, requiring careful planning and collaboration.
• 🌿 Environmental considerations are integral to the project, with conditions set for protecting local wetlands and efforts to minimize disruption to the ecosystem.

Q & A

Why is India building one of Asia's largest airports?

India is building one of Asia's largest airports to meet the growing demand for air travel by its nearly 1.4 billion people and to support its rising economy and middle class.

What is the expected completion year for the new airport in India?

The new airport, Noida International Airport, is expected to be completed in 2024, with further expansions planned in the coming years.

How many passengers is the initial phase of Noida International Airport expected to handle?

The initial phase of Noida International Airport is expected to handle 1.2 crore (12 million) passengers per year.

What is the long-term expansion plan for passenger capacity at Noida International Airport?

After expansion over a 30-year period, Noida International Airport aims to handle up to 6-12 crore (60-120 million) passengers per year.

Which company secured the bid to build and operate Noida International Airport?

Flughafen Zürich AG, the operator of Zurich Airport, secured the bid to build and operate Noida International Airport for the next 40 years.

What is the significance of the 31-kilometer greenfield highway being constructed by NHAI?

The 31-kilometer greenfield highway is being constructed to connect Noida International Airport to Sector-65, Faridabad, on the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, enhancing accessibility.

What is the current status of the Noida International Airport project?

As of the script's information, approximately 80% of phase one of the Noida International Airport project is nearing completion, with trial runs scheduled for the end of June.

How is the Noida International Airport project being financed?

Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL) has disclosed that roughly INR 7,371.51 crore of the allocated INR 10,056 crore budget has been utilized for the airport's construction.

What are the connectivity plans for the Noida International Airport?

The state government is planning a Metro line, road connectivity, and exploring avant-garde transportation solutions like a pod taxi system and a rapid rail corridor to integrate the airport with the National Capital Region.

What ecological concerns have been raised regarding the Noida International Airport project?

Ecological concerns include the potential impact on the Dhanauri Wetlands, with conditions set by India’s environmental ministry for protection, and local environmental groups have called for action to prevent irreversible damage.

What is the current status of the Air Traffic Control (ATC) infrastructure at Noida International Airport?

By July, the airport is set to have two state-of-the-art radars, enhancing operational efficiency significantly, and is initially poised to handle up to 50 flights daily.