Even before the first commercial flight takes off from the much-awaited Noida International Airport on June 15, a new survey suggests that convincing Delhi-NCR passengers to shift away from Indira Gandhi International Airport may prove to be a steep challenge.
According to a Local circles survey, only 5% of air travellers in the region are willing to fly from the new airport in 2026 — and most of them only “out of curiosity” to experience the new facility once.
ALSO READ: Turkish Airlines Jet Catches Fire While Landing at Nepal Airport, All 277 Onboard Safe
The survey, which gathered responses from over 19,000 flyers across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad, found that an overwhelming 95 per cent still prefer Delhi airport because of its lower fares, better connectivity and closer proximity to homes and offices.
While 58% cited both cheaper fares and convenience as the key reasons, another 32% chose Delhi airport purely because it is easier to access.
The findings come just weeks before commercial operations begin at the Jewar airport with IndiGo as the launch carrier.
ALSO READ : Iran Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi Likely To Visit India Amid West Asia Tensions: Reports
The airline is expected to connect the airport to more than 16 domestic destinations in the initial phase, including Lucknow, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jammu and Amritsar.
However, pricing appears to be emerging as the biggest concern. Airlines including IndiGo and Air India have reportedly raised objections over the proposed airport charges at Noida, claiming they are significantly higher than those at Delhi airport.
According to submissions made to aviation regulators, domestic landing charges at Noida could be 119% higher, while the proposed User Development Fee (UDF) for domestic passengers is around Rs 653 — over 400% higher than Delhi airport.
The survey also highlighted real-time fare comparisons. On the Hyderabad route, a Noida-Hyderabad flight for June 20 was priced over 22% higher than a comparable Delhi-Hyderabad flight.
On the Kolkata sector, the difference was even sharper, with Noida fares reportedly more than double due to limited flight options and lack of non-stop services.
Apart from airfare concerns, respondents flagged long travel times to the airport, absence of metro and rapid rail connectivity, limited airline options and safety concerns during late-night travel.
Many travellers also pointed out that the airport currently lacks international connectivity, making it less practical for connecting overseas journeys.
The report suggests that unless airfare parity and faster connectivity are ensured, the new airport may struggle to attract substantial passenger traffic in its launch year despite its world-class infrastructure.
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
