The flight carried numerous industrialists, including more than 70 employees and others sponsored by Noida-based CRC Group.
More than 70 kilometres from Delhi, India’s most ambitious aviation hub, the Noida International Airport in Gautam Budh Nagar’s Jewar, began operations on Monday, with the first flight by IndiGo landing at the greenfield facility at 7:55am.
People stand on an escalator as they enter Noida International Airport (NIA), in Noida. (REUTERS)
The flight had taken off from Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport at 7:14am and landed in Noida about 10 minutes ahead of schedule, kickstarting the operations of what has to become the biggest airport in India and the largest cargo hub in Asia.
The flight carried numerous industrialists, including more than 70 employees and others sponsored by Noida-based CRC Group. Actress and former politician Gul Panag, who is herself a licensed private pilot, was also among them.
The flight had taken off from Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport at 7:14am and landed in Noida about 10 minutes ahead of schedule (HT) In a chat with HT on Sunday evening, Panag had said that the new airport in Noida will help the NCR industrial city in becoming “more aspirational”.
“I’m beginning to see a lot more people from Delhi, from South Delhi, even Gurgaon, now consider Noida as ‘worth their time’. It is no longer the second cousin or the poor country cousin of Delhi NCR. It is beginning to be very aspirational,” she said in a short chat, which later divulged into a solution to the region’s pollution problem.
The Lucknow Airport authorities and IndiGo on Monday gave a warm welcome to the passengers boarding the first ever flight to Noida, with a lighting of a lamp and a cake cutting ceremony, involving the very first passenger who entered the terminal 3 of the airport in the UP capital.
Captain Ranjit Kapoor, who helmed the historic flight, welcomed the passengers on board and hailed the Central and the Uttar Pradesh government, along with engineers, workers and planners for the new airport.
“The Noida International Airport was envisaged by the government of India, ministry of civil aviation, UP government, they have all toiled very hard. The workers, engineers, planners, millions of work hours have been put in to make this dream a reality. So today, we celebrate this dream which has come fruitful today,” Captain Kapoor said.
IndiGo and Lucknow Airport teams lit a lamp to begin operations for Noida Flight. (HT) The landing
The flight, of which HT was a part, went uneventful and touched down at the Noida International 10 minutes before its scheduled time of 8:05am.
As soon as the landing happened, the passengers burst into applause, marking the historic occasion. The plane got a water cannon salute from the ground staff as it taxied towards its designated airbridge.
As the passengers disembarked, the staff of the new airport rolled out the red carpet, showering them with polite greetings and goodie bags to let them know about their place in history.
Captain Ranjit Kapoor addressing passengers. (HT) Shanti Jain, who was recognised by IndiGo as the first passenger to enter the terminal to board the Noida-bound flight in Lucknow, said that he was excited and overwhelmed to be a part of the historic occasion.
“I specially flew from Guwahati to Lucknow last night to be on this flight. Being here gives you such pride as a passenger to witness such a grand airport. I’m sure this is one of India's most ambitious infrastructure projects, and you feel proud to witness something so magnificent and see and witness the growth story of India,” an excited Jain told HT.
The first passenger on the flight recognised by IndiGo. Shanti Jain flew specially from Guwahati to Lucknow to be on the flight to Noida. (HT) Outside the airport, a UP police contingent gave a ceremonial salute as the passengers coming out of the new terminal stood watching.
“The airport will significantly strengthen investor confidence and reinforce Noida’s position as one of India’s most attractive destinations for business and real estate investment. We believe this milestone will unlock unprecedented opportunities across sectors and contribute immensely to the economic growth of Uttar Pradesh and the nation,” CRC Group director Salil Kumar said.
Shivam Pratap Singh is a digital journalist who works as a Deputy Chief Content Producer with Hindustan Times. Having previously worked with various platforms covering national, international as well as sports events, he blends in various topics to easy to read news pieces for the benefit of the reader. Shivam holds a Master's degree in International Relations from Jamia Millia Islamia, bringing in a unique perspective for whatever is happening around the world. An avid reader, he can be seen immersed in books and book shops while not working. Shivam treats every topic almost equally but loves to right about foreign affairs and politics of India. He has over half-a-d…
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The HinduIndependentLeft4 days agoBJP leaders have pledged to cancel the Bidadi Integrated Township project if they come to power in 2028, citing concerns over the forced acquisition of farmland. They visited affected villages to show support for farmers and accused the current Congress government of misrepresenting the land as barren when it is actually fertile. The BJP also highlighted that the area produces around one crore litres of milk annually.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the BJP's opposition to the land acquisition as a progressive stance against 'forced' land acquisition and highlights the economic value of the farmland through milk production. It presents the BJP's position without significant counterbalance, emphasizing their commitment to scrp
Official sources cited
- organisation BJP Leaders Statement
India TodayIndependentCenter6 days agoThe first commercial flight from Noida International Airport featured farmers and their families who had surrendered their land for the airport's construction. The IndiGo pilots honored the farmers with a poetic tribute during the flight. Nearly 170 villagers from the Jewar region participated in the event. The group later met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to discuss the transformation of over 1,300 hectares of farmland into the new airport.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of an event involving farmers affected by infrastructure development. It includes direct quotes from the pilot, details about the participants, and mentions the meeting with the chief minister without overtly favoring any political perspective. There is no use
Hindustan TimesIndependentCenter6 days agoNoida International Airport commenced operations with the arrival of its first flight, carrying industrialists and other guests. The airport, located in Gautam Budh Nagar's Jewar, is positioned as India's most ambitious aviation hub and the largest cargo hub in Asia. The inaugural flight, operated by IndiGo, departed from Lucknow and arrived 10 minutes early. Actress and former politician Gul Panag, a licensed private pilot, was among those present and expressed optimism about Noida's growing appeal.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about the opening of Noida International Airport without overtly favoring any political stance. It includes quotes from Gul Panag but does not frame her comments in a biased manner. There is no indication of loaded language, one-sided sourcing, or editorially
Hindustan TimesIndependentCenter6 days ago What we envisioned is now reality, say farmers who gave land for Noida International AirportFarmers from the Jewar region, whose land was acquired for the construction of Noida International Airport, boarded the airport's first commercial flight. The event marked the beginning of scheduled operations at the airport, with the first flight arriving from Lucknow. The farmers were invited to experience the development of their land into a major infrastructure project.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a neutral account of the event without overtly favoring any political side. It focuses on the symbolic gesture of the farmers experiencing the outcome of their land being used for the airport, without using loaded language or emphasizing political implications.
The HinduIndependentCenter6 days ago Noida Airport’s first flight carries Jewar villagers who gave land for its developmentResidents of Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, whose land was acquired for the Noida International Airport, boarded the airport's first commercial passenger flight to Lucknow. The event marked the commencement of operations at the new aviation hub. Passengers expressed excitement about the development and met with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of the event without overtly favoring any political side. It includes quotes from residents and mentions the involvement of the Chief Minister but does not use biased language or omit key perspectives.
Official sources cited
- statement Passenger Statements
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