March 23rd, 2023: All about the Airport in News...simply explained. Read to learn!
Noida International Airport (NIA), also known as Jewar Airport is a proposed international airport that is planned to be built in the city of Jewar in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is being developed as part of the Indian government's initiative to increase air connectivity and boost economic growth in the country.
The airport will be located approximately 80 km from the national capital, Delhi, and will be developed in four phases. Once completed, it is expected to have an annual passenger capacity of up to 70 million passengers.
The estimated cost of the project is around $3.1 billion, and it is expected to create employment opportunities and contribute to the economic development of the region.
Zurich Airport will design, develop and operate the new greenfield airport in Jewar.
But why Zurich Airport Ltd.?
Zurich Airport Ltd, which is headquartered in Kloten, Zurich, Switzerland, should be operating the Zurich Airport, one of the busiest airports in Switzerland.
Zurich Airport Ltd. (Flughafen Zürich AG) is also an operator of national and international airports and offers services such as aviation safety and security, noise monitoring, baggage checking and handling, airline catering and provisioning, food and beverage solutions and almost all services related to Airport operations.
Zurich Airport currently manages 10 airports worldwide, including Zurich in Switzerland, Noida International Airport in India, and eight in Latin America.
“This is our biggest international project outside of Switzerland. It looks like the future growth and the future investments might come sooner than we anticipate,"said Mr. Christoph Schnellmann, Chief Executive of Noida International Airport.
But I still don’t get it. Why Zurich Airport Ltd. I ask??
Because Switzerland’s Zurich Airport International emerged as the highest bidder among the other three bidders, which were - the GMR Group led consortium1 (a group made up of two or more individuals, companies, or governments that work together to achieving a common objective), Adani Enterprises Ltd and Anchorage Infrastructure Investments Holdings Ltd.
The contract was to be awarded to the Company which would offer the highest share from the revenue earned per passenger.
The Bid: While Zurich Airport offered ₹400.97 per passenger, GMR Group consortium offered ₹351, Adani Group ₹360 and Anchorage ₹360 per passenger.
So who wins the contract? The highest bidder of course.
By the way, this all happened in 2019.
Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Minister, Shri Yogi Adityanath, in December 2020 approved the airport’s design, name and logo as Noida International Airport. Earlier it was briefly referred to as ‘Delhi Noida International Airport’.
Picture source: PTI
The brand logo is a symbol that shows a Sarus Crane – the state bird of UP – in flight.
But Zurich Airport Ltd. can’t do everything on it’s own…correct?
I mean, they have their own expertise of operating Airport Services but someone has to design the Airport.
So, they conducted a design competition where they invited three international teams to make proposals on how they would design this airport,
Some of the design parameters given to the architect teams were simplicity and clarity, context and local culture, operational efficiency, comfort and convenience, short walking distances and flexibility and taking into account efficiency and net zero emissions, digital airport etc. and finally, selected (in a consortium (A consortium is a group made up of two or more individuals, companies, or governments that work together to achieving a common objective) consisting of Nordic, Grimshaw, Haptic and STUP as the architects to design the passenger terminal in December 2020.
As per Haptic Architects, the design merges Swiss efficiency and Indian hospitality, as it provides a seamless passenger experience and sets new benchmarks in sustainability for airport terminal buildings in India. The airport aspires to serve as a local and regional hub while meeting passengers’ international standards.
What next?
Contract secured, Architect assigned and now, Zurich Airport Ltd. would have needed a strong Indian player for all the construction work. Hence there was another bid…and this time by Zurich Airport Ltd. And they picked Tata Projects (in June 2022) over the other two giants - L & T and Shapoorji Pallonji to construct the terminal, runway, roads, ancillary buildings and other related infrastructure.
How will it look?
Design proposals include an internal landscaped courtyard deep within the terminal plan delivering ventilation, daylight, and an enhanced passenger experience. Externally, a new landscaped forecourt will create a regional destination for the public, staff and passengers with an unforgettable sense of place.
As per Mr. Mr. Christoph Schnellmann, “The airport’s design is inspired by India and will include various elements synonymous with the region’s architecture. The terminal forecourt will feature flights of steps like the famous ghats of Varanasi and Haridwar, welcoming and bringing together people.
Delivering the look and feel of a haveli, a courtyard will allow fresh air and sunlight into the terminal building. Inspired by the important rivers of the region, a white, translucent, wavy roof will give the effect of a flowing river.
The passenger terminal will feature intricate ornamental lattice screens, inspired by Indian architecture. Noida International Airport will showcase a grand entry to the state of Uttar Pradesh”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the grand inauguration of the Noida International Airport (NIA) in Jewar, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh in November 2021.
The first phase of the new airport's construction in Noida's Jewar is now under progress, and it is anticipated to open in 2024. According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Noida International Airport Ltd (NIAL), on the first day of operation, up to 5 million (50 lakhs) passengers are expected at the new airport.
The NIAL officials intend to turn the airport into a transit hub for international flights going to Asia-Pacific nations as International planes stop for hours at transit hubs before taking off to another nation.
The NIAL's primary focus will be on airlines flying to Asia-Pacific nations including Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia in order to promote it as a transit hub.
The project began in June 2021. The administration aspires to have all domestic, international, and cargo aircraft departing from the airport functioning on the first day. It is planned for the airport to open in September 2024.
That’s not all. There’s a New York inspired Central Park planned around Noida Airport.
