Noida International Airport Appoints Nitu Samra as Interim CEO to Comply with BCAS Regulations
New Delhi, April 25, 2026: Noida International Airport (NIA) has announced a restructuring of its top leadership to align with national regulatory mandates. According to a press release, the airport has appointed Nitu Samra as its interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. This leadership shift comes in direct response to directives issued by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which stipulate that the Chief Executive Officer of any airport operating within India must be an Indian national.
Nitu Samra brings deep institutional knowledge to the role, having served as the airport’s Chief Financial Officer since October 2021. Throughout her tenure as CFO, she has been a central figure in the airport’s development, managing financial stewardship, corporate governance, and strategic planning during the project’s most critical phases. She will lead the organization while the Board of Directors conducts a formal selection process to appoint a permanent successor.
As part of the reorganization, Christoph Schnellmann, who has spearheaded the project as CEO since August 2020, will transition to a new role on the airport’s Board of Directors as Executive Vice Chairman. In this capacity, Schnellmann will continue to provide strategic oversight and support the airport’s final transition into full-scale commercial operations. The move ensures that his experience remains integrated into the project’s leadership while meeting the necessary legal requirements.
Daniel Bircher, Chairman of Yamuna International Airport Private Limited, emphasized that the restructuring is designed to maintain momentum following the airport’s recent high-profile launch. He stated: “After the inauguration of Noida International Airport by the Hon’ble Prime Minister 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 Bureau of Civil Aviation Security 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.”
