Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the first phase of the Noida International Airport with grandeur, marking a major milestone in India’s aviation and infrastructure landscape. On the occasion, he also inaugurated the airport’s cargo terminal and laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility to be developed over 40 acres.
Addressing a large gathering, the Prime Minister described the airport as more than just an infrastructure project, calling it “a new chapter of the Viksit Bharat–Viksit Uttar Pradesh campaign.” He emphasised that the airport will serve as a major logistics gateway for North India, accelerating investment, trade, and exports.
Highlighting its regional impact, Modi said the airport will unlock new opportunities for western Uttar Pradesh, benefiting cities such as Agra, Mathura, Aligarh, Meerut, Ghaziabad, and Bulandshahr. He noted that farmers, small and medium enterprises, and youth across the region will gain significantly from enhanced connectivity and access to global markets. The Prime Minister also expressed gratitude to local farmers, acknowledging their contribution in making the project possible through land support.
Modi underscored the airport’s role in boosting multi-modal connectivity, with seamless integration of road, rail, and air transport. The cargo hub, he said, will initially handle 2.5 lakh metric tonnes annually, with plans to scale up to 18 lakh metric tonnes, giving products from Uttar Pradesh stronger global visibility.
Focusing on the aviation ecosystem, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of the upcoming MRO facility, noting that nearly 85% of aircraft maintenance work is currently carried out overseas. The new facility at Jewar is expected to reduce costs, enhance self-reliance, and create large-scale employment opportunities for the youth.
He further pointed out that Uttar Pradesh has rapidly expanded its airport network and now ranks among the states with the highest number of airports in the country. Calling the project an example of effective coordination between central and state governments, Modi noted that while it was first approved in 2003, it gained real momentum only in recent years.
The Prime Minister added that the airport will not only connect North India to global destinations but will also symbolise the ‘Udaan’ of a developed Uttar Pradesh. Designed as a world-class aviation hub, the airport is being developed to handle aircraft movements at intervals as short as 2 minutes.
In a unique and symbolic gesture, Modi invited people present at the event to switch on their mobile phone flashlights to mark the inauguration. As thousands participated, the venue lit up in unison, echoing with chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai,” capturing the spirit of what he described as a historic moment for the region and the nation.
