Mumbai’s burgeoning aviation infrastructure is set to mark a significant milestone as the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) prepares for its inaugural aircraft landing trial next month. The trial, conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF), is a crucial step towards ensuring the airport’s operational readiness ahead of its anticipated launch in March 2025.
The upcoming trial is contingent upon the successful commissioning of the Instrument Landing System (ILS), a critical component for flight path calibration. The ILS employs dual radio beams to provide pilots with precise horizontal and vertical guidance, facilitating accurate landings even under challenging conditions.
Last month, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) faced setbacks in ILS testing due to relentless rainfall, which hampered their schedule. Testing is set to resume on August 12, which is expected to impact flight arrivals at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). From August 12 to 13, between 11 am and 4 pm, arrivals at CSMIA will be reduced to 18 per hour from the usual 22 to 25 to accommodate the turboprop aircraft involved in the ILS testing at NMIA. Departures will proceed as scheduled, according to an AAI spokesperson.
Following the ILS testing and calibration, several additional procedures and permissions are required before NMIA can commence full-scale operations. The process involves meticulous testing and certification to ensure the airport meets all operational standards.
The Adani Group, which acquired a controlling stake in NMIA from the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) in 2021, is spearheading the project’s development. The construction, with an estimated cost exceeding INR 16,700 crore, is progressing rapidly. A CIDCO spokesperson confirmed that one of the runways is nearing completion and highlighted that the upcoming trial will feature a C-130J military transport aircraft and a Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet, marking a significant phase in the airport’s development.
The Navi Mumbai International Airport, named in honour of the late Dinkar Balu Patil, a prominent leader of the Peasants and Workers Party of India, will be the third major airport in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. It is designed to handle up to 90 million passengers annually, with plans for two runways and four terminals. With the state and central governments keen to demonstrate progress ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, the trial landing serves as a pivotal showcase of the region’s advancing infrastructure capabilities.
