Villagers whose land was acquired for the construction of Noida International Airport on Monday (June 15, 2026) boarded the first commercial passenger flight from the airport to Lucknow, as operations commenced at the new aviation hub.

A group of residents from the Jewar area of Gautam Buddh Nagar, including several women, arrived at the airport to board its first passenger flight to Lucknow. The passengers were scheduled to meet Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath upon arrival. The passengers included residents whose ancestral land was acquired for the first phase of the airport project.

"We are delighted to travel on the first flight from Noida International Airport to Lucknow. What we envisioned is becoming a reality before us today," Abrar Khan, a passenger, said.

Mr. Khan said the group had received an invitation from the Chief Minister’s Office to travel on the airport’s first passenger flight. He described the invitation as an honour. Hera Rashid, a resident of a nearby village, said she was among those who boarded the inaugural service. “It is a historic moment. It is free for us,” she said, adding that she was excited to meet CM Yogi Adityanath.

A farmer in his 60s who travelled on the flight said his family had parted with 30 bighas of land for the airport project. "We were also promised a job but are yet to get it," he claimed.

Another female passenger said the opportunity to be part of the first flight was a matter of pride for the villagers.

Jewar MLA Dhirendra Singh said the commencement of passenger services marked a significant milestone in the airport project and acknowledged the role of local farmers whose land was acquired for its development.

Mr. Singh said families whose land was acquired for the airport project were among the passengers on the inaugural flight, describing their participation as symbolic of the area’s transformation.

Noida International Airport began passenger flight operations on Monday (June 15, 2026), connecting the region with Lucknow and other destinations. The airport is expected to strengthen connectivity and support economic activity in western Uttar Pradesh and the National Capital Region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the airport on November 25, 2021. He inaugurated the airport on March 28 this year.