Dashing hopes for an early start to full-fledged operations at the upcoming Noida International Airport, highly placed sources revealed to businesslinethat the facility’s terminal building under phase I of the project will only be completed by June.
However, the airport’s key stakeholders are contemplating a partial opening of the facility with select sections, catering to cargo and the domestic flights.
The proposed move for a partial opening assumes significance as the current pace of construction will render the operator with the option to either partially open the airport by May, whereas the full construction and operationalisation of the facility might stretch up to August.
Under the process, even after the full completion of the terminal building, which is expected by June, the airport operator will still require another eight weeks to operationalise the whole facility.
Notably, this entire exercise, sources said, will stretch the opening timelines to July or August.
Limited operations
At present, sources told businessline that the construction work is in progress to create parking standards, roofing work, and the installation of conveyor belt-related equipment, as well as other key features at the terminal.
“The airport can start partial operations from May onwards. However, these operations will only be limited to the cargo segment,” sources said.
“A cordoned-off area needs to be created for domestic operations. This area would require inspections and clearances from BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security) and DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) before opening.”
A BCAS inspection is required for anti-sabotage checks and inspection of the required apparatus for anti-hijacking and bomb squad operations. Thereafter, the DGCA is expected to grant the regulatory licence. Generally, it takes 90 days for the regulator to process the aerodrome application for licensing.
Accordingly, a stakeholders’ meeting on the various options to start the operations will be held on Monday, March 17.
It was widely speculated that the airport might be inaugurated and made operational by May; however, inspections by the central aviation safety regulator and other authorities have not led to a definite timeline.
“Several construction milestones have been achieved till now. The airside works have almost been completed; however, work remains on the city side, and the terminal building is not yet completed... The final clearances, including the aerodrome license might be granted anytime between May and beyond.”
The airport had already missed one completion deadline scheduled for 2024-end due to sourcing constraints of materials like structural steel.
In terms of the airport’s readiness, the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) will become effective from May.
In technical parlance, the AIP is a manual for pilots and aircrew that contains thorough details of regulations, procedures, and information regarding navigation and airspace that are required for operating to and from a given airport.
Besides, the Air Control Tower (ATC) is expected to become operational by April 15.
When contacted, the office of the Minister of Civil Aviation and the officials at the Ministry of Civil Aviation clarified that no official statement on the date of the inauguration has been given as the due process is under progress.
On its part, Noida International Airport said that it is making steady progress towards operational readiness.
“The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is advancing its work in the air traffic control tower, while construction of the passenger terminal and associated infrastructure is progressing well,” a NIA official said.
“The next major milestone is the granting of the aerodrome license, expected in May. The airport will begin operations with domestic flights, with international routes to follow in the subsequent months. Discussions are ongoing with the state and central government regarding the start of commercial operations.”
In its first phase of development, the airport with one runway and one terminal will have a capacity to handle traffic of 12 million passengers annually. After the completion of the fourth phase, the airport will have the capacity to manage 70 million passengers per year.
Airline major IndiGo is expected to be the first passenger carrier to start services from the airport. The airline had entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the NIA.
On the international front, many foreign carriers have also shown interest in starting operations at the airport once it gets operational.