Noida Airport appoints Nitu Samra interim CEO

Noida International Airport has appointed Nitu Samra as its interim chief executive officer, replacing Swiss national Christoph Schnellmann to comply with regulations requiring an Indian national in the role.

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security directed the leadership change after denying security clearance to Schnellmann, who had served as CEO since August 2020. He will now transition to executive vice chairman on the airport's board of directors, continuing to support the project. Samra, who joined as chief financial officer in October 2021, takes over with immediate effect until the board completes a formal selection process.

Samra, a chartered accountant with more than 25 years of experience, oversaw financial strategy, governance and long-term planning during the critical development phase of the greenfield airport. Her previous roles include finance director at LeasePlan India, as well as positions at Fidelity International and India Mortgage Guarantee Corporation.

"This management change brings the airport into compliance with Bureau of Civil Aviation Security requirements while maintaining continuity in the airport's leadership team," said Daniel Bircher, chairman of...