In a significant achievement for the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), an aircraft from the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully landed on its southern runway.
The first landing of the IAF C-295, a versatile tactical airlifter, signifies a major milestone in the Adani Group’s progress on the greenfield international airport, which commenced in August 2021 amidst the pandemic and is projected to be operational by early 2025.
“We take great pride in the advancement NMIAL has achieved,” stated Jeet Adani, Director of Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. “As AAHL’s inaugural greenfield airport, NMIAL embodies years of meticulous planning, significant investment, and dedicated effort. This top-tier airport will be instrumental in the region’s development, acting as a vital hub for travelers from around the world,”
The trial operation carried out between 11 am and 2 pm on Friday, occurred in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, Murlidhar Mohol. CIDCO chairman Sanjay Shirsat was also present along with several other distinguished guests. The event was originally set for October 5 but was subsequently rescheduled.
The successful landing of the IAF C295 signifies a critical stage in which the newly constructed runway, taxiways, air traffic control systems, and handling protocols are evaluated to confirm that the airport complies with all safety, regulatory, and operational standards. This phase enables engineers, aviation authorities, and airport operators to assess the functionality and preparedness of essential infrastructure. It indicates that the airport is progressing towards completing its final development stages, setting the groundwork for phased commercial operations slated to commence in early 2025.
Moreover, this landing showcases NMIAL’s capability, preparedness, and readiness for collaborative operations between civilian and military authorities for various possible missions, including disaster response and emergency landings.
IAF C-295
Airbus Defense and Space produces the C-295 aircraft. Two years ago, India placed an order for 56 C-295 aircraft. As stated on the Airbus website, this is the largest order for this military aircraft that Airbus has received to date. Of the 56 planes, 16 will be manufactured in Spain, while the remaining 40 will be produced and assembled in India in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems.
Progress on Navi Mumbai Airport Construction
The cutting-edge facility, sprawling over 1,200 hectares, is designed to feature four terminals and two runways, including a 3,700-meter runway that can accommodate large commercial aircraft, modern passenger terminals, and sophisticated air traffic control systems.
Navi Mumbai Airport Capacity and Facilities
Terminal 1 is set to accommodate up to 20 million passengers annually (MPPA). Once fully operational, it will be able to serve 90 million passengers each year, both domestic and international, provide parking facilities for 350 aircraft, and manage 2.6 million tonnes of cargo. Officials have reported that 75% of the terminal building has already been completed.
In its initial phase, the airport will ultimately have the capacity to handle 90 million passengers per annum (MPPA) and 800,000 tonnes of cargo.
Navi Mumbai Airport First Flight Next Year
“The airport is expected to be fully operational for domestic flights by March 2025, with international services anticipated to begin within the subsequent five to six months,” commented a spokesperson for the project.
This achievement marks a vital advancement in improving air travel infrastructure in the region, promising enhanced connectivity and capacity for the future.
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