Noida International Airport faces ‘expensive travel’ row before launch, Jewar MLA writes to PM and CM

the latest concerns over airfare and passenger charges have triggered fresh debate over the airport’s pricing strategy even before its commercial launch.

Ankita Sharma

May 9, 2026

MLA raised concerns that the airport may struggle to attract passengers if travel costs remain higher than those from Delhi.

Noida: The upcoming Noida International Airport has landed in controversy even before commencing operations, this time over concerns about high airfares and the proposed User Development Fee (UDF) charges for passengers.

Jewar MLA Dhirendra Singh has written to the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh seeking intervention and reconsideration of the proposed passenger charges and airfare structure. In his letter, the MLA raised concerns that the airport may struggle to attract passengers if travel costs remain higher than those from Delhi.

Airfare comparison raises concerns

According to the letter, flight schedules released on May 7, 2026, indicate that the airfare between Lucknow and Jewar from June 15 onwards is being shown at around Rs 5,072. In comparison, fares for the same route between Lucknow and Indira Gandhi International Airport are reportedly ranging between Rs 3,600 and Rs 4,300. The MLA argued that passengers are likely to prefer Delhi airport if ticket prices from Jewar remain significantly higher, despite Delhi already offering better connectivity and more flights.

Lower fuel tax, Yet higher ticket prices

The letter also highlighted that the Uttar Pradesh government has reduced VAT on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) to just 1 percent to promote the aviation sector. By contrast, the ATF tax in Delhi is said to be around 25 percent. The MLA questioned why flights from Jewar are still being priced higher despite the lower fuel tax burden.

Concerns over UDF charges

Apart from airfare, concerns have also been raised regarding the proposed User Development Fee (UDF), which residents fear could make travel from the new airport less affordable during its initial phase. Residents and frequent flyers from the NCR region believe that competitive pricing will be crucial for the airport’s long-term success.

Residents react

“People were expecting that flights from Jewar would be cheaper because of lower taxes and proximity. If tickets are costlier than Delhi, many travellers may still prefer IGI Airport.”
Rajeev Sharma, Resident, Greater Noida West

Poonam Verma, a resident of Jewar, said the airport should focus on affordability in its early years.

“This airport is a matter of pride for the region, but authorities must ensure that common passengers can actually benefit from it.”
Poonam Sharma, Resident, Resident, Jewar

Aviation observer and resident Amit Chauhan added,

“Connectivity, public transport and competitive airfare will decide whether passengers shift from Delhi to Jewar. High UDF and expensive tickets may discourage first-time users.”
Amit Chauhan, Aviation Observer

A major project under spotlight

The Noida International Airport is being developed as one of India’s largest aviation infrastructure projects and is expected to serve western Uttar Pradesh and the NCR region. However, the latest concerns over airfare and passenger charges have triggered fresh debate over the airport’s pricing strategy even before its commercial launch.