Aviation – Delhi Bus Connectivity Plan Aims to Improve Access to Noida International Airport
Aviation – Commercial operations at Noida International Airport have entered their second month, and authorities are working to strengthen transport links to improve passenger access and encourage higher usage.
Noida International Airport (NIA) in Jewar is expanding its ground transportation network as part of a wider effort to improve passenger convenience and enhance regional connectivity. One of the major proposals under discussion is the introduction of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus services from multiple locations across the national capital to the airport. Officials believe the initiative could make travel to the airport more convenient for residents of Delhi and the National Capital Region.
Passenger Numbers Remain Below Initial Expectations
More than six weeks have passed since commercial flight operations began at Noida International Airport on June 15. At the time of its inauguration, airport authorities projected that around five million passengers would use the facility during its first year of operation. However, current passenger traffic has been lower than anticipated, with the airport reportedly handling an average of nearly 2,700 passengers each day. The Airports Authority of India has not yet published official passenger statistics for the period.
According to an airport official, July—the first complete month of operations—recorded an average of 17 flight departures and 17 arrivals every day. At present, the airport offers services to several destinations, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Bhopal, Jaipur, Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar, Uttarakhand, Jodhpur, Dharamshala, Kishangarh and Bareilly.
Ground Transport Network Continues to Expand
Airport authorities said an integrated transportation system is being developed to ensure seamless travel between the airport, the National Capital Region and neighbouring states. The focus is on providing passengers with multiple public transport options that reduce dependence on private vehicles.
The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) has already introduced direct bus services connecting the airport with major cities and towns such as Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Agra, Mathura, Vrindavan, Meerut, Aligarh, Bulandshahr, Farrukhabad, Firozabad, Garhmukteshwar, Hathras, Khurja, Moradabad and Shikohabad.
Meanwhile, Haryana Roadways currently operates routes linking the airport with Faridabad and Palwal. Officials also indicated that additional services to Gurugram, Chandigarh, Kurukshetra, Hisar, Narnaul, Panipat and Ambala may be introduced in the coming weeks, depending on passenger demand and operational requirements.
Electric Bus and Intercity Travel Options Available
Passengers can also use the Atal Seva air-conditioned electric bus service, which provides connectivity between the airport, the UPSRTC Sector 35 (Morna) Bus Depot and the Noida City Centre bus terminal. To further improve travel flexibility, the airport has partnered with redBus, allowing passengers to reserve premium intercity bus services directly from the airport.
Officials said these transport options are intended to provide convenient first-mile and last-mile connectivity while supporting smoother travel for passengers arriving from different regions.
DTC Proposal Awaits Government Approval
The proposed DTC bus service remains under consideration due to regulatory requirements. A senior DTC official confirmed that Noida International Airport had approached the corporation with a request to operate direct services from Delhi to Jewar Airport.
However, the official explained that an inter-state transport agreement signed in 2022 by the governments of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan currently allows buses to operate from Jewar towards Delhi but does not permit services in the opposite direction.
To address the issue, a supplementary proposal must be submitted to the Uttar Pradesh government for approval. The official stated that DTC is prepared to begin operations once the necessary permissions are granted and added that the Delhi transport department is already coordinating with its counterpart in Uttar Pradesh.
If approved, DTC plans to operate approximately 70 to 80 daily bus trips connecting major transport hubs such as Kashmere Gate ISBT, Anand Vihar ISBT and New Delhi Railway Station with Noida International Airport, offering passengers another reliable public transport option.