Navi Mumbai International Airport Flies Closer to Readiness: Successfully Conducts First Flight Validation Test
Navi Mumbai, 29 December 2024: In the presence of regulators from India’s aviation sector, the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) took a monumental step toward becoming operational with its first commercial flight validation test. Runway 08/26 at NMIA (Airport Code: NMI) came alive as an A320 aircraft from Indigo Airlines successfully touched down, marking a historic milestone in the international airport’s journey toward becoming fully operational. The aircraft was welcomed with the traditional water salute by two Crash Fire Tenders (CFT) of NMIA. This pivotal moment, witnessed by senior officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI), Customs, Immigration, CISF, CIDCO, IMD, BCAS, as well as Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL) and other key stakeholders, signals 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. 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,” said Mr. Arun Bansal, Chief Executive Officer, Adani Airport Holdings Limited.
The touchdown of a commercial aircraft validates and establishes the synchronised functioning of Instrument Approach Procedures at NMIA. The exercise includes technical assessment, landing and take-off manoeuvres, paving the way for the DGCA to validate the data collected from the flight and for NMIA to receive the aerodrome license, which is essential to operate the airport. Post the successful landing, NMIA’s established flight procedures will be published in the Electronic Aeronautical Information Publication (eAIP) for international promulgation.
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Prior to the landing of the validation flight, NMIA successfully conducted the flight calibration of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI), subsequently drafting instrument approach procedures to prepare itself for the arrival of the validation flight. On 11 October 2024, the inaugural landing of an Indian Air Force C-295, a large multi-role tactical airlifter, took place, representing a significant milestone in the development of the greenfield international airport, which is scheduled to be operational in early 2025.
