The first phase of Jewar Airport opens with a cargo terminal and MRO foundation stone, positioning North India with a new logistics and trade gateway.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first phase of Noida International Airport at Jewar on 28 March 2026, marking a milestone in India’s aviation and logistics infrastructure. The ceremony included the inauguration of the airport’s cargo terminal and the laying of the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility to be developed across 40 acres.
Addressing the gathering, Modi described the airport as more than an infrastructure project. “This airport will act as a logistics gateway for North India, giving new momentum to investment, trade and exports,” he said. The airport is expected to benefit the broader western Uttar Pradesh region, including Agra, Mathura, Aligarh, Meerut, Ghaziabad, and Bulandshahr, opening opportunities for farmers, small and medium industries, and youth alike.
The cargo hub will begin operations with an initial annual capacity of 2.5 lakh metric tonnes, with plans to scale to 18 lakh metric tonnes, giving products from Uttar Pradesh direct access to global markets. Modi also highlighted the significance of the MRO facility, noting that around 85 per cent of aircraft in India are currently sent abroad for such services at significant cost. The Jewar facility is intended to address this gap and generate employment for thousands of young people.
The airport is designed around multi-modal connectivity, integrating road, rail, and air transport. It will eventually have the capacity for one aircraft to take off every two minutes. Modi called Jewar Airport an example of the double engine government’s work culture, noting the project had received approval in 2003 but remained stalled until coordinated action between the central and state governments brought it to fruition.
Source: Government of India / PIB
