License Turbulence For India’s Two Upcoming International Airports
Navi Mumbai and Noida International Airports are grounded without the essential aerodrome license despite flashy announcements.
India has been waiting for its two major upcoming airports — Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) and Noida International Airport (NIA) — for what seems like an eternity. Both are being touted as game-changers, set to relieve the traffic pressure on the existing airports in Mumbai and Delhi. But there’s one small problem: they still aren’t operational.
Despite being in the news for years, both airports continue to play the waiting game, unable to pin down an official launch date.
Back in December 2024, the Navi Mumbai Airport seemed to be nearing the finish line when it conducted its first commercial flight validation test with an IndiGo A320, sparking hope that operations would begin soon. But here we are, six months later, and the only thing that’s taking off is the number of new deadlines.
So, what’s causing the delay? According to industry expert CK Govil, the issue is painfully simple, “The government has to give permission, a license for them to operate these airports. They have not given that kind of permission.”
For Noida International Airport, it’s the same story. Despite all the grand announcements, the airport is still waiting on the necessary permissions and licenses from the government authorities to begin functioning.
The airport, which was supposed to begin operations on May 15, has already missed the deadline. According to Govil, it may start operations by September 15, though this has not been officially announced.
The situation isn’t much better for the Navi Mumbai Airport. In March, reports confirmed that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had received an application for an aerodrome license from the Navi Mumbai Airport.
In the case of the Navi Mumbai Airport, being developed by the Adani Group, repeated delays have now triggered official warnings. The Maharashtra government has made it clear that penalties will be imposed if the group fails to meet committed deadlines.
A similar tale unfolded for Noida International Airport. The DGCA was supposed to inspect the site in March to assess its readiness for regulatory clearance, with expectations of launching in April. But that timeline is now another addition to the growing list of missed deadlines.
“The announcements that the airports are making are just to show that they are doing something or the other. In reality, nothing is happening,” Govil criticised, calling out the constant cycle of new dates and missed promises.
What Causes License Delays?
Getting an airport operational in India isn’t just about building runways and terminals — it’s a bureaucratic maze, and it starts with two critical approvals: one from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and another from the DGCA.
“The process begins with an airport applying for the license. Once the application is submitted, inspectors conduct a thorough check. If they find any deficiencies, those must be fixed. Only after the airport confirms that all issues have been resolved does the final inspection take place,” Vijai Agrawal, ex-chairman of Airport Authority of India (AAI), told The Core.
But it doesn’t end there. Even after the BCAS grants its clearance, the DGCA gets the final say. This means a two-step approval process where any mistake or delay in meeting the standards can send the airport back to square one.
“It’s not a one-and-done deal. Once DGCA completes the inspection, they may send the permit request back, pointing out any further changes that are required. The airport must make these corrections and reapply,” Agrawal said.
So, what are these ‘deficiencies’ that can cause a project to stall? They could range from minor construction issues, like incomplete taxiways or unfinished safety features, to critical infrastructure gaps.
“Generally, a new airport is built to international standards, so major problems are rare. But even small things can hold you back. For example, if taxiways are built but not connected properly, you can’t operationalise the airport,” Agrawal added.
On paper, the process takes around 90 days. But as the saga of Navi Mumbai and Noida airports shows, the reality is far more complicated.
Reason for delay? “Only if the government files were moved as per priority, what would have been the matter? Until they put weight on it, things take time. There are 100 excuses every time.”
Implications Of Delay
The endless wait for these two airports isn’t just an inconvenience; it has real implications for India’s aviation industry, particularly for Mumbai.
“In Mumbai, there are capacity constraints, and any delay will have a deeper, negative impact. But in Jewar, Delhi airport has sufficient capacity, and they are ahead of demand,” G.S. Bawa, another industry expert, told The Core.
This means the delay in Navi Mumbai’s airport is a much bigger problem than in Noida. The city’s existing airport, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), is already bursting at the seams, and any further postponement at the Navi Mumbai Airport only worsens the situation.
What Does the License Application Include?
According to Agrawal, applying for an aerodrome license isn’t just a formality—it’s a detailed process.
“There is a pro forma where the airport must submit information on its designed capacity and various other inputs. Navigational systems must be in place, and air traffic control must be functional. If even one of these key components is incomplete, the license won’t be granted.”
In other words, a flashy terminal and a world-class runway are not enough. If a critical system, like tower control, isn’t ready, the airport is going nowhere.
Who’s Doing What?
The Navi Mumbai Airport and Noida Airport have been making headlines for repeatedly revising their operational launch timelines. But what’s the real reason?
The issue lies in how responsibilities are divided — and how political and administrative pressure leads to premature date declarations.
Industry expert Govil points out that different authorities are responsible for different parts of the project, and the pressure to show “progress” often overrides practical timelines.
The problem is layered:
- Developers are focused on construction but aren’t always in control of licenses or surrounding access.
- The BCAS and DGCA oversee the aviation-side clearances, like air navigation systems, safety checks, and final operational licenses.
- State governments are often responsible for the city-side infrastructure, like roads, flyovers, and metro links that connect the airport to the city.
Why Deadlines Keep Slipping
From ensuring navigational systems are fully functional to getting the final stamp of approval from the DGCA, everything takes time. But for some reason, the pressure to show ‘progress’ leads to these hasty, unrealistic timelines.
“They are doing this in anticipation because they are under pressure from the state. Just to show they are saying they have panelised the airport, etc., but the ground reality is they do not have the infrastructure ready,” Govil added.
If the airport isn't fully built or licensed, why make promises at all?
“We have seen over time, it’s not the developer but the administrative people who start giving early dates, which is not good. Once you know that the airport will take two years to develop, you accept that. But if you promise one year, you’re setting yourself up for trouble,” Bawa said.
Adding to the complexity is the ecosystem beyond the terminals and runways. It’s not just about airside readiness.
“These are the air-related infrastructure for which DGCA is responsible. But then there is city-side infrastructure, like connectivity. If there is a missing link, a flyover that isn’t built, or some other problem, it becomes a hindrance,” Agrawal explained.
For the Navi Mumbai Airport, specifically, there are whispers that the Maharashtra government is dragging its feet on completing the connectivity projects. Even the most well-built airport is not much appreciated if passengers can’t reach it easily.
