First flight in 45 days? Noida airport gets security clearance

NOIDA: Noida International Airport has received security clearance from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), a decisive step that moves the greenfield airport into the last stretch before commercial operations begin.The clearance, granted on Thursday, approves the airport’s core security framework like boJmb threat contingency plan (BTCP), anti-hijack contingency plan (AHCP) and airport security programme (ASP). With these documents examined, the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) is now expected to carry out a final inspection and issue the aerodrome licence.Officials at Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL), the govt agency monitoring the project, said the aerodrome licence could come within a week of DGCA’s final inspection.

“The security vetting approval on Thursday brings the airport closer to operational readiness,” NIAL chief executive officer RK Singh said.Nodal officer Shailendra Bhatia said DGCA would soon conduct the last inspection, and added that the concessionaire operating the airport must meet specific conditions before the licence is granted. Once the aerodrome licence is issued, domestic passenger flights and cargo operations are expected to begin within 45 days, in line with the project plan.

International operations are likely to start from Sept.Union aviation secretary Samir Sinha has been trying to minimise delays on the ground that the airport has an expat CEO. Christoph Schnellmann, a Swiss national and veteran from Zurich Airports, also played a key role when Bengaluru’s airport was being built about two decades back.It was pointed out in the home ministry that the CEOs of India’s biggest airlines — IndiGo and Air India — are both expats.

“We are trying to ensure having an expat CEO does not lead to any hiccups in the new airport getting operational,” said a source. Schnellmann is widely seen as a thorough professional.“We take pride in having people like Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai at top positions in the world’s biggest tech companies that handle critical security tasks globally. We can't frown on having expat CEOs,” the source added.According to officials, airlines such as IndiGo, Air India and Akasa Air are expected to open ticket bookings once the aerodrome licence is in hand.

“The airport infrastructure envisaged in the first phase is ready to handle 12 million passengers annually. The terminal building, air traffic control tower, and runway are ready as planned,” Bhatia said.The airport’s security clearance was in line for months, with BCAS teams conducting multiple inspections and asking the operator to plug gaps before approval. During one recent inspection, officials from the Union home ministry also accompanied the BCAS team.Bhatia said the anti-hijack contingency plan had been approved earlier after verification of certain systems and equipment. According to him, the plan sets out protocols for incidents such as hijacking or bomb threats, and requires coordination among airlines, airport authorities, security agencies, disaster management authorities and govt.On the ground, officials said the terminal’s roofing, entry-exit facilities, security apparatus and internal work are complete.

The runway, air traffic control and other airside infrastructure are ready as well.Security deployment is in place as well. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) took over airport security last year. Residential facilities have already been developed for its personnel, including accommodation for unmarried CISF staff within the airport premises, built by the concessionaire.Officials said the recruitment and training of manpower needed for operations have been completed as well.

The multimodal cargo hub infrastructure is ready, and cargo services are expected to start alongside domestic flights.Connectivity work is also in place, including a 750-metre access road linking the airport to Yamuna Expressway.At an event in Greater Noida West on Thursday, chief minister Yogi Adityanath said the country’s largest airport would be inaugurated soon. Officials said the formal inauguration date would be finalised by the Prime Minister’s Office.