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On Monday, villagers whose land was acquired for the construction of Noida International Airport witnessed a significant milestone as they boarded the inaugural passenger flight to Lucknow. A group of residents from the Jewar area of Gautam Buddha Nagar, including several women holding boarding passes, arrived at the airport for this momentous occasion.

Upon reaching Lucknow, these passengers were set to be welcomed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Among the travelers were families who had given up their ancestral land for the first phase of the project, now observing their agricultural land transforming into a hub of development.

One passenger, Abrar Khan, expressed his pride and joy in being part of the first flight to Lucknow from Noida International Airport, stating, 'The dream we envisioned is now becoming a reality.' He mentioned receiving an invitation from the Chief Minister to be part of this historic flight, which he regarded as an honor.

Hera Rashid, a resident of a nearby village, described the experience as historic, saying, 'We will be part of the first flight. This journey is free for us, and we will also meet Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow.' A farmer, around 65 years old, shared that he had given 30 bighas of land for the airport and expressed happiness about the ongoing development in the area, although he noted that the promise of employment had yet to be fulfilled.

Another female traveler remarked that being part of the inaugural flight was a matter of pride for the local villagers. Dhirendra Singh, the MLA from Jewar, emphasized that the commencement of passenger services symbolizes not just the launch of a new air route but also the contribution of farmers to the airport's journey.

He stated, 'Families who dedicated their ancestral land for the national interest and the bright future of the state are now taking flight from that very land.' Singh highlighted that hands that once plowed fields now hold boarding passes, adding, 'As farmers from Jewar boarded the flight to Lucknow today, it was not just their journey but a symbolic historical voyage representing India's development, the respect for farmers, and the changing face of Uttar Pradesh.'

The initiation of passenger flight services from Noida International Airport on Monday established connectivity with Lucknow and other destinations. This airport is expected to enhance connectivity in western Uttar Pradesh and the National Capital Region, boosting economic activities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for this airport on November 25, 2021, and inaugurated it on March 28 of this year.