The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has taken a significant step towards becoming fully operational with the successful completion of its first commercial flight validation test. The test flight, conducted in the presence of key aviation sector regulators, saw an A320 aircraft from IndiGo Airlines land on Runway 08/26 at NMIA.
The aircraft’s touchdown was greeted with a traditional water salute by two Crash Fire Tenders from the airport. The flight’s success is seen as a crucial step in validating the airport’s alignment with global aviation standards.
“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 operationalising the airport, prioritising safety at every step,” said Arun Bansal, Chief Executive Officer, Adani Airport Holdings Limited.
The event was attended by senior officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI), Customs, Immigration, CISF, CIDCO, IMD, BCAS, Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL) and other important stakeholders, marking a key moment in the airport’s development.
The landing of the commercial aircraft confirmed the synchronised operation of the Instrument Approach Procedures at the airport. The validation flight included technical assessments as well as landing and take-off manoeuvres, which will now allow the DGCA to validate the collected data. This is expected to pave the way for NMIA to receive the necessary aerodrome license, which is required for the airport to begin operations.
Bansal further added, “We are grateful to the DGCA and all the agencies involved in making the validation flight trial successful. NMIA will not only offer world-class aviation facilities, it will also enable the overall development of the region.’
Earlier in the process, NMIA had completed a flight calibration of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) as well as drafted the required instrument approach procedures.
In a prior milestone on October 11, 2024, NMIA also witnessed the inaugural landing of an Indian Air Force C-295, a multi-role tactical airlifter. This further highlighted the progress of the Greenfield International Airport project, which is set to become operational in early 2025.
Once completed, NMIA will have the capacity to handle over 90 million passengers annually, with the initial phase accommodating 20 million passengers and 800,000 tonnes of cargo per year.
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