What we envisioned is now reality, say farmers who gave land for Noida International Airport

NOida International drome began scheduled commercial message trading operations on mon, with its number one flight from Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow landing at 7:55 am. Then, the first inaugural flight from Jewar to Lucknow also took off from the airport, carrying the very villagers who gave land for the facility.The special delegation of farmers, travelling to Lucknow, will attend a programme where they will meet UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The first flight that landed at the Noida airport was Indigo 6E-2278, which departed from Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow and arrived at Noida International Airport on Monday morning. Also read | First flight lands at Noida airport in Jewar as commercial operations beginRegular flight services on the Lucknow-Noida route are scheduled to commence from July 1, 2026, news agency ANI reported. What farmers saidThe inaugural flight from Noida International Airport carried several families whose ancestral land became part of the airport's first phase, giving them an opportunity to witness firsthand the transformation of their former farmland into a major aviation project.Also read | Noida International Airport takes wing: How it could impact property prices, housing demand and office marketsAmong the passengers was Abrar Khan, who described the journey as an emotional milestone. "We are very delighted and obliged to travel on the first flight from Noida International Airport to Lucknow. What we envisioned is becoming a reality before us today," he told news agency PTI. Khan said the invitation to travel on the inaugural flight came from the chief minister and called it "a matter of honour."For Hera Rashid, a young resident of a nearby village, the occasion was equally memorable. "We will experience the first flight. It is free for us, and we will meet Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow," she said, describing it as a historic moment.A farmer in his mid-60s, who was also among the passengers, said he had given 30 bighas of land for the airport project and was pleased to see the region's development. At the same time, he claimed, "We were also promised a job but are yet to get it."Another woman travelling on the flight said being chosen for the inaugural journey was a source of pride for the villagers.Noida airport begins commercial operationsAt present, many passengers travelling between Noida and Lucknow either use flights operating through Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi or travel by road.Officials view the new flight connection as a key development for Uttar Pradesh's aviation sector. It is aimed at improving connectivity between the state's administrative and business hubs.(With ANI,PTI inputs)