Building the Future: IAF Aircraft Lands at Navi Mumbai International Airport
Indian Air Force large multi-role tactical airlift C-295 aircraft successfully touched down on the South runway of the Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd (NMIAL), marking a key moment in the Adani Group's development of the greenfield airport.
The construction of the airport had started in August 2021 amidst the Covid-19 pandemic and was expected to be operational by early 2025. "We are proud of the progress NMIAL has made. As Adani Airport Holdings Ltd's first greenfield airport, NMIAL represents years of planning, investment and hard work", said Jeet Adani, Director of Adani Airport Holdings Ltd.
He said: "We are thankful to the government of Maharashtra, regulatory bodies including CIDCO and Airports Authority of India and all other stakeholders who have come together to make this project possible".
Attendees included Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar and Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Co-operation, Murlidhar Mohol. Senior officials from Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd and Adani Airport Holdings Ltd were also present on the occasion.
The completion of NMIAL is going to significantly boost the economy of the local area as it will increase accessibility and expose new business opportunities for the Navi Mumbai region.
It will be able to handle a capacity of 90 million passengers per annum (MPPA) and 800,000 tonnes of cargo in the first phase itself.
"This will be a world-class airport, playing the pivot role for regional growth-it will serve as an essential hub connecting nearly all travelers of this world", asserted Jeet Adani.
The successful touchdown of the IAF C-295 marks an important milestone in testing new, built runways, taxiways, air traffic control systems and handling procedures with a view to ensuring that the airport meets all safety, regulatory and operational requirements, said the company.
NMIAL is going to accommodate both domestic and international passengers with sophisticated infrastructure. NMIAL has a 3,700-meter-long runway that can accommodate large commercial aircraft at the same time, modern passenger terminals, and advanced air traffic control systems. Passenger throughput at Terminal 1 is envisioned at 20 MPPA per annum.
