In a key leadership change, Nitu Samra has been appointed as the interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Noida International Airport, following a regulatory decision that prevented the continuation of the current CEO in the role.
The move comes after the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) denied approval for Swiss national Christoph Schnellmann to continue as CEO, citing security norms related to civil aviation operations.
Leadership Change Following Security Norms
The decision was influenced by the Union Home Ministry’s stance against allowing foreign nationals to hold the CEO position at greenfield airports in India. This directly impacted the Noida International Airport project, which is being developed and operated by Yamuna International Airport Pvt Ltd (YIAPL), a subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG.
Following the directive, Christoph Schnellmann—who has been leading the project since August 2020—will transition to the role of Executive Vice Chairman on the airport’s board.
Nitu Samra Takes Charge
Nitu Samra, who has been serving as Chief Financial Officer of Noida International Airport Limited since October 2021, will now take over as interim CEO.
She has played a key role in the airport’s development, handling financial planning, governance, and strategic operations during a critical phase of the project. Her appointment is expected to ensure continuity as the airport moves closer to completion.
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Ensuring Stability in a Key Infrastructure Project
The leadership transition comes at an important time for the Noida International Airport, which has already faced delays. Officials believe that appointing an experienced internal leader will help maintain project momentum and ensure smoother execution going forward.
The development also highlights the government’s focus on aligning critical infrastructure projects with national security considerations while ensuring administrative continuity.