Navi Mumbai, August 12, 2024 — Following a temporary halt last month due to persistent heavy rains, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has recommenced the Instrument Landing System (ILS) testing at the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).
The testing, which resumed on Monday, marks a significant step towards ensuring the operational readiness of the new airport’s runway. The ILS testing will extend into Tuesday, focusing on assessing various components of the ILS operations at runway 08R/26L. This system is crucial for calibrating the flight path, as it provides precision guidance for aircraft during their approach to landing. The ongoing exercise is designed to verify both the horizontal and vertical guidance systems essential for safe aircraft landings.
An official involved in the testing commended the efforts, stating, “The operation was a formidable challenge. The coordination from Mumbai’s approach controllers was exceptional, reflecting remarkable professionalism and dedication. Managing arrivals at Mumbai’s ILS 27 while commissioning Navi Mumbai’s ILS 08 was a complex task, but the controllers executed it with impressive efficiency.” The official also highlighted that the testing has reached the halfway mark for ILS commissioning and is expected to complete by Tuesday, weather permitting.
Navi Mumbai is poised to benefit from the newly calibrated ILS, which enhances landing precision by providing both lateral and vertical guidance to pilots. The localiser component ensures that aircraft are aligned with the runway’s centreline, while the glideslope component aids in maintaining the correct altitude.
Looking ahead, the first trial landing of an aircraft at NMIA is anticipated on October 31, 2024. The airport is projected to become fully operational by March 31, 2025. In a related development, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has recently assigned a location code ‘NMI’ to Navi Mumbai International Airport Pvt. Ltd. (NMIAL), a subsidiary of Mumbai International Airport Ltd. This code will facilitate efficient identification and management of flights, passengers, and cargo, underscoring the airport’s integration into the global aviation network.
