The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has denied security approval to Christoph Schnellmann, Chief Executive Officer of Noida International Airport, on the grounds that he is a foreign national, creating a fresh hurdle for the airport’s commercial launch.
The decision is linked to aviation security norms governing greenfield airports in India. Under a 2011 BCAS order, the CEO of any greenfield airport is designated as the security co-ordinator and is responsible for implementing airport security measures. This effectively requires the role to be held by an Indian national.
The Noida International Airport, located in Jewar and developed by Zurich Airport International, had recently received its aerodrome licence from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in March. However, its Aerodrome Security Programme (ASP) remains under review, and approval is essential before passenger operations can begin.
A senior government official indicated that the airport operator may now need to appoint an Indian national as CEO before flights can commence. Schnellmann, a Swiss citizen, has led the project since 2020 and has overseen the airport’s development phase.
The airport’s first phase has been developed with an investment of around ₹7,200 crore by Zurich Airport Group, which won the concession in 2019 to build and operate the facility for 40 years. The project is notable as the first Indian airport with 100 per cent foreign ownership.
Noida International Airport is expected to become a major aviation hub for the National Capital Region, complementing Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. Any delay in operational approvals could affect planned domestic and cargo launches in the near term
