Noida International Airport at Jewar is set to get a new name. On Friday, 9 October, the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved a proposal to rename it "Narendra Modi International Airport, Noida-Jewar", after Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the decision at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting in Lucknow.
Why the UP government wants the new name
Adityanath said the state was grateful to the Prime Minister for the airport, which he described as a major gift to Uttar Pradesh. He said the airport is on course to become the state's largest and, in time, the country's biggest aviation hub, and that the Cabinet appreciated Modi's leadership, guidance and dedication to the state.
The decision came at the same meeting in which the Cabinet passed a resolution praising Modi's leadership as he marks 25 years as head of a government, first as Gujarat Chief Minister and then as Prime Minister.
Background: from a 2021 foundation stone to flights in 2026
The Jewar airport, in Gautam Buddha Nagar district, has been one of the most closely watched infrastructure projects in north India. It is designed to serve Noida, Greater Noida, Delhi and the wider NCR, and to take pressure off Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport.
The airport is being developed through a public-private partnership with Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG. Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone in November 2021 and inaugurated Phase 1 on 28 March 2026, and commercial flights began on 15 June 2026, with IndiGo operating the first services. Operations are domestic for now, with more airlines and international routes planned.
Noida International Airport: key facts
| Proposed new name | Narendra Modi International Airport, Noida-Jewar |
| Location | Jewar, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh |
| Airport code | DXN |
| Developer | Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd (Zurich Airport International AG) |
| Phase 1 inauguration | 28 March 2026 |
| Commercial flights began | 15 June 2026 (IndiGo first airline) |
| Phase 1 capacity | Up to 12 million passengers a year, one runway |
| Planned full capacity | Up to 70 million passengers a year |
| Phase 2 expected | 2031-32 |
Why Jewar matters for Delhi-NCR
Delhi's main airport has been operating close to its limits for years, and the national capital region has long needed a second large airport. Jewar was picked to fill that gap. Its location on the Yamuna Expressway puts it within reach of Greater Noida, Noida, Faridabad and Agra, as well as large parts of western Uttar Pradesh that previously depended on Delhi for air travel.
The airport's master plan allows it to grow in stages as demand builds. Phase 1 opened with a single runway and one terminal, while later phases are meant to add runways and terminal space until the airport can handle up to 70 million passengers a year. That scale is why the state government talks about it as a future national aviation hub rather than just a city airport.
For residents of Noida and Greater Noida, the airport has already cut travel time for many domestic trips, since they no longer need to cross Delhi's traffic to reach a terminal. As more airlines join and international flights start, its role in the region is expected to grow further.
What it means for travellers
For passengers, nothing changes immediately. Tickets, the DXN airport code and existing flight schedules stay the same, and the airport continues to be reached via the Yamuna Expressway, with more transport links planned. Signboards and official references will change only once the new name is formally notified.
For western Uttar Pradesh, the airport remains a big economic bet. It is widely expected to draw investment and jobs to the Yamuna Expressway belt, and the renaming signals how central the project is to the state's development pitch.
How airports get renamed in India
Naming or renaming an airport is not a state decision alone. A state government sends its proposal to the Union government, and the change takes effect only after the Centre approves it and it is formally notified. The UP Cabinet's approval is therefore the first formal step.
What happens next
- The Uttar Pradesh government forwards the Cabinet's proposal to the Union government.
- The Centre examines the proposal and takes the final call.
- Once approved, the new name is notified and updated on signage, tickets and official records.
The decision is also likely to draw political reactions, as renaming public infrastructure after sitting leaders often does. For now, the airport keeps operating as Noida International Airport while the proposal moves through the official process.
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