Noida International Airport has appointed its Chief Financial Officer Nitu Samra as the interim Chief Executive Officer, in a key leadership change aimed at ensuring regulatory compliance and expediting the airport’s operational readiness.
The appointment has been made with immediate effect and will remain in place until the board finalises a permanent CEO. The decision follows directives from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which mandates that the CEO of an airport in India must be an Indian national.
As part of the transition, former CEO Christoph Schnellmann, who had led the project since August 2020, will move to the role of Executive Vice Chairman on the board, continuing to support the airport’s development and transition to operations.
Nitu Samra, who has been serving as CFO since October 2021, has played a crucial role in the airport’s financial management, governance, and strategic planning, particularly during key phases of project execution. Her elevation is expected to ensure continuity in leadership as the airport moves closer to commencing commercial operations.
The leadership change comes at a critical juncture, as the airport seeks final security clearance and operational approvals, which are contingent on compliance with BCAS norms. With an Indian CEO now in place, the move is expected to accelerate regulatory clearances and facilitate the start of flight operations.
Developed as a major greenfield aviation project, Noida International Airport is set to play a pivotal role in enhancing connectivity for the Delhi-NCR region and western Uttar Pradesh, with plans to handle millions of passengers annually in its initial phase.
This transition underscores the importance of regulatory alignment and leadership localisation in large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly in sensitive sectors such as aviation, where security and compliance remain critical to operational readiness.
