New Delhi: The Noida airport renamed Narendra Modi International Airport decision marks one of the most high-profile renamings of a major Indian infrastructure project in recent years. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath announced on Friday, October 9, that his cabinet has approved a proposal to rename Noida International Airport at Jewar as "Narendra Modi International Airport, Noida-Jewar" — putting the sitting prime minister's name on the country's newest international gateway to the national capital region.
The announcement came after a meeting of the Uttar Pradesh Council of Ministers in Lucknow, where the cabinet cleared 39 proposals. Addressing the media afterward, Adityanath said the cabinet was grateful to the prime minister for "gifting" the state the airport, which he described as a major gift to Uttar Pradesh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the inauguration ceremony of the Noida International Airport in Jewar. The UP cabinet has now approved renaming it after him. Photo: Prime Minister's Office, GODL-India, via Wikimedia Commons.
Noida airport renamed after PM Modi: what Yogi Adityanath announced
Speaking after the cabinet meeting, the chief minister put the decision in formal terms: "The Council of Ministers of Uttar Pradesh expresses its gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for gifting the state the Noida International Airport at Jewar. The Cabinet has approved a proposal to name it Narendra Modi International Airport, Noida-Jewar."
Adityanath said the airport was set to emerge as Uttar Pradesh's largest airport and a major aviation hub in the country. Deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, along with leaders of alliance partners, were present when the announcement was made, underscoring the political weight the state government attaches to the move.
The renaming resolution was passed to mark Modi's 25 years of uninterrupted public service as the head of a government — a milestone the prime minister completed only days earlier. Adityanath described that 25-year tenure as "pivotal to the development" of both the nation and the state.
Why the renaming: 25 years of public service
The chief minister tied the decision directly to Modi's political journey and his bond with Uttar Pradesh. "It is a moment of immense pride for the UP Cabinet as it is from the land of UP (Varanasi) that PM Modi was elected as MP," Adityanath said, referring to the prime minister's Lok Sabha constituency.
He added that the bond between Modi and Uttar Pradesh is "deeply personal", and that the prime minister has made service, dedication and nation-building his mission, strengthening India's global stature under his leadership.
Linking the airport renaming to the government's broader record in the state, Adityanath cited the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya — which he described as ending a 500-year wait — the development of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, and the repatriation and installation of the idol of Goddess Annapurna from abroad as examples of the prime minister's efforts. He contrasted the state's infrastructure before 2017, when he said it lacked basic facilities, with today's network of expressways, highways, metro lines and the Regional Rapid Transit System.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath announced the renaming after a state cabinet meeting in Lucknow on Friday. Photo: Prime Minister's Office, GODL-India, via Wikimedia Commons.
Noida International Airport: the key facts
The airport at the centre of the renaming is a flagship infrastructure project. It is the second international airport for the Delhi-NCR region, complementing the Indira Gandhi International Airport in the capital, and is designed to ease pressure on Delhi's congested airspace.
Built at a cost of Rs 11,282 crore, the first phase has an initial annual capacity of 1.2 crore passengers, which can be scaled up to 7 crore in a few years. It features a 3,900-metre runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft, modern navigation systems, and instrument landing systems at both ends of the single runway, allowing approaches from either direction depending on wind conditions. A multi-modal cargo hub with an integrated cargo terminal and logistics zones is part of the complex.
The airport was developed by the Yamuna International Airport Private Limited, a subsidiary of Swiss firm Zurich Airport International AG, in association with the Noida International Airport Limited, the implementing agency on behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government, under a public-private partnership model.
The project has a long history. It was first planned in 2001, when then chief minister Rajnath Singh proposed a greenfield airport and aviation hub at Jewar. Modi laid the foundation stone on November 25, 2021, and inaugurated Phase I on March 28, 2026. The first commercial flight — an IndiGo service from Lucknow — landed on June 15. The second phase is expected to become operational between 2031 and 2032.
At the inauguration, Modi had said the airport would benefit districts across western Uttar Pradesh, including Agra, Mathura, Aligarh, Ghaziabad and Etawah, and would open new opportunities for farmers, small industries and youth.
The foundation stone of the Noida International Airport project at Jewar, first planned in 2001 and inaugurated in March 2026. Photo: Aakash Singh India, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Why it matters
Naming an international airport after a sitting prime minister is a rare honour in Indian public life, and it instantly turns the Jewar airport into a political symbol as well as an infrastructure asset. For the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government, the move cements the airport's identity as a Modi-era project — one the prime minister personally laid the foundation stone for and inaugurated.
The timing matters too. Coming days after Modi completed 25 years as head of a government, the renaming folds the airport into the commemorative narrative the party is building around that milestone. With the airport expected to grow into one of India's largest aviation hubs, the name will be seen by millions of passengers every year.
For travellers and the aviation industry, the practical question is when the new name takes formal effect across signage, ticketing systems and official documents. The cabinet's approval is the state-level decision; the formal renaming process will follow in due course.
What happens next
The state cabinet has approved the proposal; the announcement did not specify a date for when the new name takes formal effect. Opposition parties are yet to respond to the decision, and their reaction — whether they frame it as a fitting tribute or as political overreach — will shape the next phase of the story.
Beyond the name, the airport's expansion continues. With daily aircraft movements rising and direct flights to more cities being added, the second phase — targeted for 2031-2032 — will determine whether Jewar lives up to its billing as the country's largest aviation hub.
Key Takeaways
- The Uttar Pradesh cabinet approved renaming Noida International Airport at Jewar as "Narendra Modi International Airport, Noida-Jewar" on Friday, October 9.
- Chief minister Yogi Adityanath announced the decision after a cabinet meeting in Lucknow, saying it honours Modi's 25 years of uninterrupted public service as head of a government.
- The airport is Delhi-NCR's second international airport and is set to become Uttar Pradesh's largest and, eventually, the country's biggest aviation hub.
- Modi inaugurated Phase I on March 28, 2026; the first commercial flight, an IndiGo service from Lucknow, landed on June 15.
- Phase I cost Rs 11,282 crore with 1.2 crore annual passenger capacity, scalable to 7 crore; the project was first planned in 2001 and its foundation stone was laid by Modi in November 2021.
- The formal renaming process will follow the cabinet's approval; opposition reaction is awaited.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new name of Noida airport?
The Uttar Pradesh cabinet has approved renaming Noida International Airport at Jewar as "Narendra Modi International Airport, Noida-Jewar". Chief minister Yogi Adityanath announced the decision on Friday, October 9, after a state cabinet meeting in Lucknow, where a total of 39 proposals were cleared.
Who announced the renaming of the airport?
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath announced the renaming at a press conference following the state cabinet meeting in Lucknow. Deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, along with alliance partner leaders, were present — underlining the political significance the state government attaches to the move.
Why was Noida airport renamed after Narendra Modi?
According to the chief minister, the decision honours Prime Minister Narendra Modi's uninterrupted 25-year journey of public service as head of a government — a milestone he completed days earlier. Adityanath said the cabinet was grateful to Modi for "gifting" the state the airport.
Where is Noida International Airport located?
The airport is located at Jewar in the Gautam Buddha Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh. It is the second international airport serving the Delhi-NCR region, complementing the Indira Gandhi International Airport in the national capital, and is designed to ease pressure on Delhi's congested airspace.
When was Noida International Airport inaugurated?
Prime Minister Modi inaugurated Phase I of the airport on March 28, 2026, after laying its foundation stone on November 25, 2021. The first commercial flight — an IndiGo plane arriving from Lucknow — landed on June 15, 2026, marking the start of commercial operations at the airport.
How big is the Noida airport project?
Phase I was built at a cost of Rs 11,282 crore with an initial annual capacity of 1.2 crore passengers, scalable to 7 crore. It has a 3,900-metre runway for wide-body aircraft. The chief minister said it will be Uttar Pradesh's largest airport and is set to become the country's largest aviation hub.
Who developed the Noida International Airport?
The airport was developed by Yamuna International Airport Private Limited, a subsidiary of Swiss firm Zurich Airport International AG, in association with Noida International Airport Limited, the implementing agency for the Uttar Pradesh government, under a public-private partnership model, with Zurich Airport International AG acting as the concessionaire.
Sources
- NDTV — "Jewar Airport Near Noida To Be Renamed Narendra Modi International Airport" — ndtv.com
- NDTV Profit — "Noida Airport To Be Renamed After Prime Minister, Will Be Called Narendra Modi International Airport" — ndtvprofit.com
- IANS via Punjab Kesari — "CM Adityanath announces renaming of Noida airport as Narendra Modi International Airport" — english.punjabkesari.com
- PTC News — "Noida Airport is now Narendra Modi International Airport: What you need to know" — ptcnews.tv
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By GlobalDeskNews Staff