The upcoming Noida International Airport in Jewar, Gautam Buddh Nagar, witnessed a major milestone on Monday as it successfully conducted its first validation flight. An Airbus A320 of IndiGo marked the occasion with a ceremonial water cannon salute upon its maiden landing at the greenfield facility, officials said.

Located approximately 75 km from Delhi, the airport will serve as the second international gateway for the National Capital Region (NCR), complementing Indira Gandhi International Airport. The project is being developed under a public-private partnership model by Yamuna International Airport Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich International Airport AG.

The validation flight, a critical step in aerodrome licensing, ensures the airport complies with safety, operational, and regulatory standards. The flight tested the RNP (Required Navigation Performance) and ILS (Instrument Landing System) procedures, crucial for precise navigation and landings.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu highlighted the significance of the event. “This validation flight is a crucial step, and we are committed to completing the project before April,” he stated, adding that the Ministry of Civil Aviation would provide continued support to expedite the airport’s operations.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described the day as historic for the state and the nation. “Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary leadership, Uttar Pradesh is achieving remarkable progress. The successful landing at Asia’s largest airport reflects this journey of development,” he shared in a Hindi post on X.

The airport has recorded 50 million man-hours of work without any incidents, noted Civil Aviation Minister Naidu, commending the dedication of the entire team. Christoph Schnellmann, CEO of Noida International Airport, said the successful validation flight underscores the meticulous planning behind the project, expressing confidence in its readiness for commercial operations.

Jewar MLA Dhirendra Singh emphasized the transformative impact of the airport on regional employment and economic growth, while the Uttar Pradesh government highlighted its role in positioning the state as home to the highest number of airports in India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the airport on November 25, 2021, and Chief Minister Adityanath personally oversaw its progress. Once operational, the airport will feature one runway, a terminal capable of handling 12 million passengers annually, and plans for expansion in future phases.

Following the validation flight, the airport will finalize documentation for aerodrome certification to be submitted to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). With its concession period commencing on October 1, 2021, and lasting 40 years, the airport is poised to unlock immense growth potential for surrounding regions like Aligarh, Bulandshahr, and Ghaziabad.

(This story has been slightly reworked from an auto-generated PTI feed.)