- By Sahelee Rakshit
- Wed, 26 Mar 2025 06:51 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Air India will not begin flights from Noida International Airport (NIA) near Jewar when it opens in June, instead continue to operate from Delhi. Air India's immediate goal is to increase traffic at its Delhi hub as much as possible by implementing additional routes and adjusting its schedule.
While Air India will operate solely from Delhi, its no frill brand Air India Express will operate from Noida and Hindon airports in addition to Delhi.
In addition, Air India is asking Adani Airport Holdings Limited for clarification on the relocation of flights from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai airport. In June, Navi Mumbai Airport is scheduled to open.
"We have got internal plans regarding operations from Navi Mumbai. However Adani Airports is not clear regarding the distribution of flights between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. We are working with them,” a senior Air India official said.
Meanwhile, in light of potential flight diversions to the upcoming Greater Noida airport, which will provide more competitive fuel pricing, Delhi's new chief minister Rekha Gupta has been asked by civil aviation minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu to reduce the Value Added Tax (VAT) on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) from the current 25% to between 1% and 4%.
Fuel costs for Indian airlines amount to about 40–45% of their operating expenses.
The new airport in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, which is southeast of Delhi and close to Greater Noida, will be the capital's second aviation hub; its location may draw passengers from the eastern suburbs of Delhi and nearby townships; commercial operations are expected to start this year.