Shaping India’s first net zero emissions airport
Spread across 3,296 acres (1,334 ha) in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, Noida International Airport (NIA) is expected to be the largest airport in Asia and the fourth largest in the world, once fully developed, including all future phases envisaged to be developed by the Government of Uttar Pradesh (GoUP).
A greenfield airport commissioned by Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL) and owned by the Government of Uttar Pradesh, NIA is set to be the second international airport in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR).
Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL)—a subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG—is developing NIA in close partnership with the Government of Uttar Pradesh and the Government of India.
Starting off as a single runway airport serving 12 million passengers, NIA will be upgraded to a two-runway airport to serve 70 million passengers annually. All four phased are scheduled to be completed around 2061.
YIAPL selected Jacobs in 2020 as the program management consultant (PMC). Jacobs provided valuable inputs to strategize the project execution of phase 1. Phase 1 development will serve 12 million passengers annually.
As PMC, we’re supporting YIAPL to envision NIA as India’s first net zero emissions airport, setting a new standard in sustainable aviation and a fully digital airport, providing a safe, contactless travel experience and customized commercial offerings for passengers.
The airport will provide world-class passenger and cargo services, encourage tourism by providing a new international gateway to major regional cities in Uttar Pradesh, create job opportunities and support economic development while committing to having zero carbon footprints.
NIA is highly satisfied with the services provided by Jacobs as NIA's project management consultant. Their team has consistently demonstrated exceptional competence, ensuring smooth progress and delivering high-quality results at every stage of the project. The professionalism and expertise they bring to their work have been highly appreciated. NIA greatly appreciates their proactive communication. Jacobs has consistently gone above and beyond to meet our expectations and deliver value. Their ability to effectively manage and coordinate has been instrumental in the project's success. We would wholeheartedly recommend Jacobs for their dedication and excellence in project management consultancy services.
Meet some of the team involved
Ashish Jain, Senior Project Manager, Airside
Ajay Ruhela, Contracts Head
Tanmay Kumar, Senior Project Manager, Design
Ashish Jain, Senior Project Manager, Airside
Akhil Goyal, Project Controls Manager
Delivering a net zero and digital international airport in India
The first phase of the Noida International Airport (NIA) project includes constructing a new terminal complex, runway, taxiways and aircraft parking, air traffic control tower, cargo facilities and ancillary buildings spread over 3,296 acres (1,333 ha) in Jewar. The runway of the NIA airport is CAT III & Code E compliant which means wide-body airlines can use the facility.
As the program management consultant (PMC), Jacobs is delivering comprehensive services that include:
- Program governance setup and strategic planning
- Project controls and scope change management
- Program risk and document management
- Stakeholder coordination
- Engineering and design management
- Procurement and contract management
- Construction oversight
- Quality, health and safety management
Designing a net zero emissions airport
Some of the net zero initiatives that we’re supporting as part of this project are:
- Absolute reductions: Absolute resource use and emission reduction, independent of passenger volumes.
- Net zero emissions: Carbon neutrality, zero net energy use, water neutrality and zero waste.
- Net positive: Carbon removal, surplus renewable energy generation, water systems regeneration, becoming water positive and developing a circular economy.
Setting up an all-digital airport
We are supporting Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL) to develop a digital strategy and set new airport benchmarks in terms of experience, efficiency and earnings, focusing on value streams and processes.
“The airport will stand out with the use of technology, offering a unique experience and efficient operations to the customers. NIA’s differentiators will be ease of wayfinding, contactless travel and optimum dwell time for passengers. The digital airport will also provide a ‘plug and play’ environment for airlines to maximize passenger experience, minimize start-up cost for the airline and provide overall cost and operational efficiency,” says Tanmay Kumar, Jacobs Senior Project Manager.
Stimulating economic development in the region
Apart from easing the load on the nearby airports, the development of the facility is set to create jobs for the local population. In addition, traveler footfall will spark new business opportunities in the airport precincts—such as hotels, markets and more—accelerating economic development in the region and enhancing the overall quality of life of the community.
YIAPL believes that NIA has the potential to become a key air cargo gateway for North India. The integrated multimodal cargo hub at the airport will play a crucial role in propelling the state of Uttar Pradesh to the global logistics map.
The airport is predicted to improve industrialization in the region by making the global aviation network available to industries in the hinterland, positioning them to tap supply and export opportunities worldwide.
YIAPL plans to begin operating Phase 1 of the project in 2025. Future phases of development will include the construction of additional terminal and airfield infrastructure, including a second runway to increase the capacity to 70 million passengers per year.
Image credit: Yamuna International Airport Pvt. Ltd
Image credit: Yamuna International Airport Pvt. Ltd
Jacobs is proud to be part of the NIA project—the second international airport within the NCR of India. NIA will showcase a blend of Swiss efficiency and Indian hospitality. It will be a notch above in terms of customer service, operational efficiency and digital services, with a commitment to minimal environmental impact.
Delivering world-class airports in India and beyond
Jacobs was named the 'Leading Program Management Consultant and Engineering Consultant for Airports’ at the 14th International Conference Awards for Civil Aviation, organized by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) in 2023.
"This award recognition not only showcases our strong design and program management capability, but also our longstanding track record of success in fostering trusted relationships with clients in delivering transformative, complex and world-class airports in the region," Sinead Giblin, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Asia.
The international recognition highlights Jacobs' breakthrough achievements in applying cost effective solutions and innovative design methodologies, minimizing waste and environmental impact, providing vital technical and construction support for key stakeholders as well as minimizing capital expenditures through value engineering and lifecycle cost analysis across our airport projects.
