Noida International Airport has appointed its chief financial officer, Nitu Samra, as interim CEO after the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) denied security clearance to CEO Christoph Schnellmann, a Swiss national, which held up the launch of flight operations at the recently inaugurated airport.

“With immediate effect, Nitu Samra has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis, until the Board of Directors can conclude a formal selection process,” Noida International Airport said in a press statement.

Christoph Schnellmann, who has led the airport as CEO since August 2020, will move to the Board of Directors as executive vice- chairman.