'Our vision is to build a future-ready airport'

Noida International Airport (NIA) expects to handle 6 to 8 million passengers in the first full year of operation and will connect the Delhi national capital region to 10 domestic and some international destinations, Christoph Schnellmann, the airport's chief executive officer, told Yaruqhullah Khan in an interview.

- CHRISTOPH SCHNELLMANN, CEO, NOIDA INTERNATIONALAIRPORT

Excerpts:What is Noida International Airport's aim for annual passenger traffic in the first year of operation? How do you expect annual passenger traffic to increase till 2030?

Phase I is designed for 12 million passengers per year, with 6-8 million expected in the first full year. As demand grows, capacity will expand to 30 million annually by 2030, followed by future phases scaling up to 70 million.

Will passengers be experiencing new security features like full-body scanners and CTX-ray machines from the first day of operation? If not, are there any plans to add these features to the airport in the future?

Phase I will include CTX scanners for checked baggage and standard X-rays for hand baggage per BCAS norms. Design provisions allow easy integration of body scanners and CT technology in future phases.

How can new greenfield airports give India an edge in becoming a global aviation hub? Which cities in India do you expect to become global aviation hubs by 2030?