Jewar Airport Names Nitu Samra As Interim CEO After Security Rule Bars Foreign National From Top Post
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Noida International Airport has appointed Nitu Samra as its interim chief executive officer, days after aviation security authorities refused to allow Swiss national Christoph Schnellmann to continue in the role, citing regulatory requirements.
The decision follows directions from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which mandates that the CEO of any airport in India must be an Indian citizen. The rule, linked to aviation safety oversight, effectively forced a leadership change at the upcoming greenfield airport.
"This change follows directions issued by BCAS that the chief executive officer of an airport in India is required to be an Indian national," the airport said in a statement.
Samra, who has been serving as chief financial officer since October 2021, steps into the role at a crucial stage as the airport prepares to begin operations. She has been closely involved in the project's financial planning and governance, making her a familiar figure within the leadership team.
Schnellmann, who has led the project since 2020, will now transition to the role of executive vice chairman on the board. "In this role, he will continue to support the project and its transition to operations," the statement added.
The change comes after the Union home ministry declined a proposal to relax norms that would have allowed a foreign national to head a greenfield airport, citing security considerations.
The Noida airport project, being developed by Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd, had been directly affected by this decision.
Airport officials stressed that the leadership reshuffle is aimed at ensuring compliance without disrupting progress.
"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 BCAS requirements while maintaining continuity in the Noida airport's leadership team."
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