Jewar airport in Noida: Why is it named ‘DXN’?

Noida International Airport in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, had its first landing with an IndiGo flight from Lucknow on June 15, 2026.

This was followed by the airport’s first departure with a return flight to Lucknow.

The aircraft was carrying people from Jewar district, whose land was acquired by the State government for the first phase of development of the airport.

Codenamed ‘DXN’, the airport is a move to increase air connectivity between western Uttar Pradesh, the National Capital Region and other parts of the country.

So why is Noida airport called ‘DXN’? How are other airports’ codes named? Who decides?

Jewar MLA expressed concern over proposed high UDF and passenger charges at Noida International Airport and sought reconsideration

Jewar Airport: Delhi-Noida connection

Located in the Jewar district of western Uttar Pradesh, the airport falls under the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi. According to Christoph Schnellmann, the airport’s former CEO, “The D in DXN stands for Delhi, the national capital, and the N stands for Noida, indicating our presence in the Western UP region. We think the X stands for the connection between India and the world,” PTI reported in 2023. Interestingly, ‘Noida’ itself stands for ‘New Okhla Industrial Development Authority’.

Noida Airport appoints interim CEO after Swiss chief denied security clearance

Who decides airport codes?

Each airport has two airport codes. The code printed on your boarding pass, ticket details and on signs around the airport is a three-letter code determined by the International Air Transport Association, or IATA, a global airline trade body. For example, ‘DXN’ for Noida International Airport, ‘DEL’ for Delhi International Airport and ‘MAS’ for Chennai International Airport are reminders that the city was earlier known as Madras.

All airports also have a four-letter code for pilots, air traffic controllers and flight planners. They are appointed by the International Civil Aviation Organization, or ICAO, a specialized body of the United Nations.

How are airport codes decided?

There are many ways to decide on codes for the passenger. Usually the first three letters of the airport name are used. In the case of Noida, ‘X’ represents the connection and ‘D’ and ‘N’ represent the two nearest cities. Some airports that were formerly military airports begin with ‘IX’, such as ‘IXC’ for Chandigarh International Airport.

The behind-the-scenes code, or ICAO code, has a much stricter naming convention as it is used by authorities and sailors.

The first letter of the code represents the global region. The second letter identifies a specific country or region, while the third and fourth letters identify the exact airport.

The ICAO code of Noida Airport is VIND. ‘V’ represents the globally accepted identifier for the South Asian region. ‘I’ is for the flight information region of North India. ‘ND’ stands for Noida and Delhi.

Controversies over airport names

Gaya Airport in Bihar came under the spotlight in 2021, with a parliamentary committee calling the IATA code for the holy place ‘GAY’ “offensive, shameful and inappropriate”. The MPs argued that the airport code should not be linked to gay terminology as Bodh Gaya is a highly revered place in Buddhism and Hinduism. This was rejected by IATA on the grounds that airport codes are permanent assets under Resolution 763.

Bihar Gaya Airport | Photo Credit: The Hindu

In 2025, MP Bhim Singh revived the debate, leading Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol to confirm that the code could not be changed as it did not pose any security threat.

Social media users often point out other airport codes like ‘COK’ for Cochin International Airport in Kerala. It takes its name from the old English spelling of the city, ‘Cokchin’. Other interesting names include ‘DIE’ for Madagascar’s Arrachart Airport and ‘HEL’ for Helsinki airport in Finland.