Just days after the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) denied approval for Christoph Schnellmann to continue as chief executive officer, Noida International Airport has announced the appointment of Nitu Samra as interim CEO.
The decision follows regulatory directives mandating that the CEO of an airport in India must be an Indian national. The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of aviation security norms, particularly for greenfield airport projects.
Regulatory mandate prompts leadership change
The development comes shortly after the Union Home Ministry declined a proposal to relax norms that would have allowed foreign nationals to head Indian airports. This decision directly impacted the Noida airport project, developed and operated by Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG.
Schnellmann, a Swiss national who has led the project since August 2020, will now transition to the role of executive vice chairman on the airport’s board. The airport said it will continue to support the project, particularly during its transition to operational readiness.
Nitu Samra to lead interim phase
With immediate effect, Samra will take over as interim CEO until a formal selection process is completed by the board. She has been serving as chief financial officer since October 2021 and has played a key role in financial planning, governance, and strategic oversight during the airport’s development phase.
Her appointment is seen as a continuity measure at a critical juncture, as the airport prepares to commence operations following its inauguration in March 2026.
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Ensuring compliance and operational readiness
According to BCAS Aviation Security orders, the CEO of a greenfield airport must act as the designated security coordinator, responsible for implementing aviation security protocols. The leadership change is therefore aimed at ensuring full regulatory compliance while maintaining project momentum.
Officials emphasised that the restructured leadership will support a smooth transition into operations, backed by strong governance practices and organisational stability.
