‘Taj Mahal will become a day trip from anywhere in India’: Christoph Schnellmann, CEO, Noida International Airport

Interview/ Christoph Schnellmann, CEO, Noida International Airport

Q Access is very important for airports. Where does the NIA stand as far as access from the NCR as well as western UP areas is concerned?

A The Yamuna Expressway will be our lifeline in the initial years of airport operations. State bus operators in Delhi, Haryana, Uttarakhand and UP have committed a large fleet to serve the airport as well. We have tied up with Mahindra, who will offer an all-electric premium airport taxi service for passengers. App-based cabs will be available as well, and in between there will be coaches and rental cars.

Q There was talk of a high-speed rail link from Delhi. Where does it stand now?

A That is in planning. The state is committed to extending the Delhi-Meerut RRTS (metro-like high-speed rail) network into Ghaziabad.

Q Which are the airlines on board?

A Indigo and Akasa have committed to basing aircraft at Noida. Ultimately, it is up to them and their network planning teams to develop the fleet, but there will be a strong domestic fleet serving the metro airports in India, regional destinations and international destinations as well.

Q Are there any tie-ups with foreign airlines?

A There has been interest primarily from Middle Eastern and South Asian airlines.

Q Has Air India backtracked in a way?

A No. Some of their airlines (Air India Express) have filed for slots. We do expect to see Air India aircraft.

Q It is the second airport in Delhi NCR, and with western UP not so developed, what kind of business turnover, revenue model and timelines are you looking at? Will you eventually be cannibalising Delhi Airport’s traffic?

A I’m looking at it differently. We are looking at the growth in aviation in India. And we are looking at a strong need for additional airport infrastructure in Delhi and the NCR to continue to support that growth. If we look at historic growth figures or the fleets on order by the likes of Indigo, Akasa or Air India, we see us providing a platform for that growth. We see us as providing additional connectivity for the people of western UP and the NCR across India and the world.

Q How much of a focus will be there on cargo logistics?

A I’m looking at it not from a revenue point of view, but the potential that an air cargo facility and a logistics park in Noida has for the region. And we see the commercial development, the development of manufacturing spaces in the region. The hub will support that growth and development.

We are trying to understand what the industry’s requirements are. Short dwell (turn around) times, short connecting times for cargo (and) strong interest in warehousing and logistics space in close proximity to the airport. We think those facilities will support the economic growth and development in the region.

We have partnered with Air India-SATS, who are developing an air cargo terminal as well as a logistics park. We understand cargo potential complements the passenger potential. That is an important part also for the airlines to be able to offer.

Q The UP government has major plans to develop the entire stretch outside the airport.

A I’ve been driving here for four years. And there seems to be a new high-rise coming up every week. If you go up the ATC tower and look north, you can see in Sector 28, Sector 29, the commercial development, you can see the new facilities come up and growing eastward from the Yamuna Expressway. We have seen in the past the NCR growing south and east through Noida, through Greater Noida, and now the Yamuna Expressway. We will see Noida Airport anchor this development further south and turbocharge development in the future.

Q Once the airport is up and running, what kind of economic boost will it provide to this area?

A Our role is connectivity, for people as well as for goods. The goods and the logistics will support industrial growth, which will support manufacturing development, which will support trade and commerce. It will also support tourism. We are a two-hour drive from the Taj Mahal. Every day 50,000 people visit the Taj Mahal. There are many other tourist destinations and religious destinations between here and the Taj Mahal. So this airport, this connectivity, will support all of these activities.

Q What kind of a timeline have you given for the project to turn even?

A We are looking at this as an investment in infrastructure in India. We are looking at the India growth story, and we are looking at specifically the aviation growth story in India. We are excited to be part of that. We are looking at at least a 40-year concession, and we are looking at investing in this first phase of airports development with the 12 million capacity. But we are also looking at continuous additional investments in growing the infrastructure over the years.

Q The Hindon Airbase close by has started commercial flights. Does that go against the terms that you have with the government? Delhi Airport did complain.

A If anything, it is sort of a demonstration of what I was saying earlier, that we need additional airport infrastructure in India and in the NCR in particular. We are convinced that once we are up and running we will be able to provide an offering for the passengers as well as airlines that convinces them.

Q Are you looking at any kind of last-mile connectivity to the Taj Mahal?

A We are working with partners who can provide this service. There will be coach service to and from the Taj Mahal. With Noida Airport, the Taj Mahal becomes a day trip from anywhere in India. So you can depart Chennai in the morning, visit the Taj Mahal, and return home in the evening!