Noida Airport Operations Delayed After MHA Rejects Foreign CEO Rule Change
Noida Airport News
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has refused security clearance to Christoph Schnellmann, the Chief Executive Officer of Noida International Airport in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh. This decision has created a delay in the airport’s planned opening.
Officials said the approval was denied because Schnellmann is a foreign national. According to Indian aviation security rules, the CEO of a greenfield airport is also responsible for security coordination, and this role is required to be held by an Indian citizen.
Noida International Airport has already received its aerodrome licence from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in March 2026. However, the airport still needs approval of its Aerodrome Security Programme before it can start passenger services.
Government sources said the airport operator may now need to appoint an Indian citizen as CEO or change responsibilities to meet security rules. Only after this process is completed can the airport begin operations.
Christoph Schnellmann, a Swiss national, has been leading the development of the airport since 2020. He has played an important role in the construction and planning of the project, which is being developed by Zurich Airport International.
The Noida International Airport, located in Jewar, is being built with an investment of around ₹7,200 crore. The project was awarded in 2019 and is planned as the first airport in India with full foreign ownership.
Once ready, the airport is expected to handle air traffic for the National Capital Region along with Delhi’s main airport. It is also expected to become a major hub for passengers and cargo in the future.
For now, the security approval issue needs to be resolved before the airport can begin commercial flights.
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