The aviation ministry granted approval to the second international airport in greater noida's jewar. "We have granted in-principle approval for a greenfield airport at Jewar (Greater Noida) to cater to the growing flying requirements of NCR," aviation minister Ashok Gajapati Raju told reporters. He added that the NOIDA International Airport will cater to 30-50 million passengers per year over the next 10-15 years.

"The area notified for Noida Airport is 3000 hectares. The 1st phase of Jewar Airport will be developed in 1000 hectares. We expect up to Rs 20,000 crores of investment into the project," Raju further said. The proposed Jewar international airport has moved a step ahead with the Ministry of Defence giving formal no-objection certificate for the ambitious project in Greater Noida, adjoining the National Capital Region of Delhi. Sources said the NOC was given only last month after BJP MP from Gautam Buddh Nagar and former minister of state for civil aviation Mahesh Sharma sought a push for developing airports in small towns as part of regional air connectivity scheme. The Jewar airport project was also taken up keenly by the previous Mayawati government in UP. In fact, the project was one of the key features builders and real estate bodies used to lure the buyers with to invest in the upcoming residential and commercial projects.