New Delhi, April 24
Noida International Airport on Friday appointed its Chief Financial Officer, Nitu Sarma, as interim Chief Executive Officer, as regulatory guidelines require the position to be held by an Indian national. The decision follows directions issued by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, which mandate that airport CEOs in India must be Indian citizens. As a result, Christoph Schnellmann, a Swiss national who had been leading the airport since August 2020, has been appointed Executive Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors.
“With immediate effect, Nitu Sarma has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis, until the Board of Directors can conclude a formal selection process,” the airport said in a statement. Sarma has served as the airport’s Chief Financial Officer since October 2021 and will now oversee operations during the transition period.
The development comes shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Noida International Airport, marking a significant step in the region’s infrastructure expansion. The airport authorities are expected to initiate the process for appointing a full-time CEO in line with regulatory requirements.
