Noida airport names Indian CEO to clear way for launch

New Delhi: Noida International Airport (NIA) on Friday appointed an Indian as its chief executive to clear a regulatory road bump coming in the way of its launch.

It elevated chief financial officer Nitu Samra to the position held by Swiss national Christoph Schnellmann, who was in charge since Aug 2020. While Samra has been given interim charge, the appointment gives her the distinction of being the first woman to be CEO of an Indian airport.

Schnellmann will join the airport’s board of directors as executive vice-chairman.



The rejig at the top became necessary because home ministry rules do not allow expat CEOs for greenfield airports. Schnellmann, as an executive of NIA’s parent company Zurich AG, was at the helm since inception and oversaw the airport taking shape from the ground up. As someone with considerable experience of working in India, before this with Bengaluru airport, he was considered the right man for the job.

The change at the eleventh hour was a forced one after it became clear that govt was not keen on changing the expat rule. The airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 28 after it received the aerodrome licence.

But after Bureau of Civil Aviation Security’s (BCAS) proposal to amend the expat rule was rejected by the home ministry, NIA decided to go for a change of guard to avoid further delay in launching commercial operations. NIA needs BCAS approval for its aerodrome security programme (ASP), without which it cannot become operational.

“With immediate effect, Nitu Samra has been appointed as CEO on an interim basis, until the board of directors can conclude a formal selection process,” NIA said in a statement. She has been the airport’s CFO since Oct 2021 and was closely involved in the airport’s development journey. Schnellmann, NIA said, “will continue to support the project and its transition to operations.”

Sources said it takes about 30-40 days for an airport to become operational after getting the ASP. By this timeline, NIA is unlikely to become operational before June. To give some recent timeframes, Goa’s second airport at Mopa was inaugurated on Dec 11, 2022, and it started operations within a month on Jan 5, 2023. Navi Mumbai airport became operational on Dec 25, 2025, just over two months after being inaugurated on Oct 8.

Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd (YIAPL) chairman Daniel Bircher said: “After the inauguration of NIA by the PM in March 2026, the goal was to enable the start of operations as early as possible. This management change brings the airport into compliance with BCAS requirements while maintaining continuity in the airport’s leadership team. The newly structured team will support a smooth transition into operations, guided by clear and transparent governance and a strong corporate culture.” YIAPL is the Zurich AG subsidiary that is in charge of building and operating the airport.

Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd (YIAPL) chairman Daniel Bircher said: “After the inauguration of NIA by the PM in March 2026, the goal was to enable the start of operations as early as possible. This management change brings the airport into compliance with BCAS requirements while maintaining continuity in the airport’s leadership team. The newly structured team will support a smooth transition into operations, guided by clear and transparent governance and a strong corporate culture.” YIAPL is the Zurich AG subsidiary that is in charge of building and operating the airport.
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