“Navi Mumbai Airport Achieves Success with First Commercial Flight Validation Test”

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) marked a significant milestone in its journey towards becoming operational with the successful completion of its first commercial flight validation test on Sunday. An A320 aircraft from Indigo Airlines landed smoothly on runway 08/26, signaling a major step in the development of the greenfield airport. The aircraft was greeted with a traditional water salute by two crash fire tenders, adding to the momentous occasion.

The landing was witnessed by senior officials from key aviation and security agencies, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI), Customs, Immigration, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO), as well as representatives from Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL). The successful test is seen as a vital step towards the operationalization of the airport, which is expected to begin operations early next year.

Arun Bansal, CEO of Adani Airport Holdings Limited, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the test. He stated, “This is a momentous day for Navi Mumbai International Airport. The successful completion of the validation flight is a major milestone, and we are now one step closer to operationalizing the airport. We are grateful to the DGCA and all the agencies involved in making the validation flight trial successful.”

Jeet Adani, Director of Airports at Adani Group, took to social media to celebrate the achievement, calling it “a historic milestone.” He added, “Proud of our team’s hard work and grateful for our stakeholders’ unwavering support. Together, we are creating a world-class #GatewayToGoodness!”

The flight validation test was essential for ensuring that the Instrument Approach Procedures (IAP) at NMIA were functioning as intended. The exercise involved a comprehensive technical assessment, as well as landing and takeoff maneuvers, which allowed the DGCA to verify the data collected from the flight. This test is a crucial step towards NMIA receiving its aerodrome license, which is required for the airport’s operation.

In preparation for the validation flight, NMIA successfully completed a flight calibration of its Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI), which helped draft the instrument approach procedures. This work has been pivotal in ensuring that the airport’s flight operations meet the required safety standards.

Earlier this year, the inaugural landing of an Indian Air Force C-295 aircraft on October 11 had already set the stage for the airport’s future operations. This was a key moment for the greenfield airport, and Sunday’s validation flight test further solidified its readiness for commercial operations.

Once fully operational, Navi Mumbai International Airport is expected to have the capacity to handle over 90 million passengers annually. The initial phase of development will cater to 20 million passengers per year, with cargo handling capacity of 8 lakh tonnes annually. The project is being implemented in phases and is being developed under a public-private partnership, with a 74% shareholding by Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) and 26% by CIDCO.

The successful completion of the commercial flight validation test underscores the steady progress of Navi Mumbai International Airport, which is poised to become a critical hub for air travel in the region.

Sources By Agencies

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