“Uttar Pradesh is transforming its aviation landscape with new and upgraded airport terminals, including Noida International Airport in Jewar, set to open by November 2025. These developments aim to enhance connectivity, boost tourism, and drive economic growth, with five new airports in Azamgarh, Aligarh, Moradabad, Chitrakoot, and Shravasti, positioning UP as India’s aviation hub.”
Uttar Pradesh’s Aviation Boom: New Terminals Redefine Travel
Uttar Pradesh is rapidly emerging as a powerhouse in India’s aviation sector, with ambitious plans to expand its airport infrastructure. The state, already home to five international airports, is set to add nine new airports by 2025, as announced by Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. This includes new facilities in Azamgarh, Aligarh, Moradabad, Chitrakoot, and Shravasti, bringing the total to 21 airports, a feat unmatched by any other Indian state.
The flagship project, Noida International Airport (also known as Jewar Airport), is on track to commence operations by November 2025. Located in Gautam Buddha Nagar, this greenfield airport is being developed by Zurich Airport International under a public-private partnership model. With an estimated cost of Rs 29,650 crore, the airport’s first phase, covering 1,334 hectares, includes a runway, a terminal building, and an air traffic control tower. Upon completion, it is expected to handle 12 million passengers annually, with plans to scale up to 70 million by 2040, making it one of the largest airports globally. The project also includes a planned aerotropolis to spur commercial and residential growth, though construction within a 10-km radius faces height restrictions for safety.
Other key airports, such as Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow, are also undergoing significant upgrades. The airport’s new Terminal 3, inaugurated in March 2024, has boosted its capacity to 13 million passengers annually. Expansion plans include a fourth terminal, three parallel taxiways, and a cargo complex, set to be completed by mid-2025. Similarly, Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi is expanding its runway to 4,075 meters and building an underpass for the Varanasi-Lucknow Highway, a first-of-its-kind feature in India.
Prayagraj’s Bamrauli Airport is gearing up for the Kumbh Mela 2025 with a terminal expansion to triple its capacity to 350 passengers at peak hours. Agra’s Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Airport is also slated for a new terminal and runway expansion by 2026 to elevate its status to an international airport, boosting tourism to the Taj Mahal. Meanwhile, Kushinagar International Airport, inaugurated in 2021, continues to serve Buddhist pilgrims, and Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya, opened in 2023, is set for further expansion to accommodate widebody aircraft for international flights.
The state’s aviation growth is part of the central government’s Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme, which has allotted 63 air routes to Uttar Pradesh, with plans to increase to 108. This initiative aims to enhance connectivity to Tier-II and Tier-III cities, making air travel more accessible and affordable. The new airports and terminals are expected to drive economic growth by boosting tourism, trade, and real estate in surrounding areas. For instance, localities near Jewar, such as Thora and Ramner, are seeing increased property demand due to the upcoming airport.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is also upgrading smaller airstrips, such as Meerut, to support regional connectivity. The Meerut airstrip, identified under UDAN, awaits an additional 115 acres of land to commence commercial operations with 19-seater aircraft. These developments align with India’s Vision 2047, aiming to increase operational airports to 300 nationwide to accommodate an eightfold rise in passenger traffic by 2047.
Uttar Pradesh’s aviation expansion is not without challenges. Land acquisition remains a hurdle, with 8,400 families in 14 villages affected by Phases 3 and 4 of the Jewar project. The state has increased compensation rates to Rs 4,300 per square meter to address concerns. Additionally, environmental sustainability is a focus, with new terminals incorporating energy-efficient designs, such as Prayagraj’s use of fly ash bricks and rainwater harvesting systems.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent news reports, government announcements, and industry sources. Information is accurate as of September 2025, but project timelines and details may change. Readers are advised to verify critical details independently.