Noida International Airport gets interim CEO to fast-track flight operations

In a major administrative reshuffle, Noida International Airport (NIA), commonly known as Jewar Airport, has appointed Neetu Samra as its interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with immediate effect. She will hold the position until the company’s board finalises a permanent CEO.

The change has been made in line with a directive from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which mandates that the CEO of any airport in India must be an Indian citizen. Final security clearance from BCAS — a prerequisite for starting flight operations — can only be granted once this condition is met.

Samra has been serving as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the airport since October 2021 and has played a key role in financial management, governance, and strategic planning during critical phases of the project. Her appointment is expected to ensure continuity in operations.

Meanwhile, Christoph Schnellmann, who had been serving as CEO since August 2020, will transition to the role of Executive Vice Chairman on the board and will continue to be associated with the project.

Daniel Bircher, Chairman of Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL), said that following the airport’s inauguration by the Prime Minister in March 2026, the focus is now on commencing operations at the earliest. He added that the management change is aimed at expediting this process.

Noida International Airport is being developed as a modern, world-class aviation hub, expected to enhance connectivity for the Delhi-NCR region and western Uttar Pradesh with multiple domestic and international destinations. In its first phase, the airport features one runway and a terminal with an annual capacity of around 12 million passengers, with plans for future expansion.

The project also emphasises sustainable development, with a focus on achieving net-zero emissions. With an Indian CEO now in place, the airport is expected to receive final BCAS clearance soon, and flight operations are likely to begin by the end of May. Preparations for the launch have been accelerated by YIAPL.

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With inputs from Arun Tyagi