MUMBAI- Today, December 29, 2024, marks a landmark day for Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI) when the first test flight operated by IndiGo Airlines (6E) arrives on Runway 08/26.
I am at Navi Mumbai Airport to witness the historic landing of IndiGo’s Airbus A320 aircraft.
IndiGo Navi Mumbai Airport Landing
India’s largest domestic carrier flew its first test flight from Mumbai Airport (BOM) to Navi Mumbai Airport (NMI) aboard an Airbus A320 registered as VT-IFN. It is an 11.7-year-old airplane with IAE engines.
The flight took off from Mumbai at 12:28 PM and landed in Navi Mumbai at 1:38 PM IST, following calibration checks by flying low above the runway.
According to Vishal Jolapara, Captain Karan Sahgal and Captain Rahul Jain flew the plane.
CEO Remarks
Adani Airports Holding Limited (AAHL) CEO Arun Bansal addressed the journalists assembled for this function.
He stated that Navi Mumbai Airport is in discussions with Indian Airlines regarding both domestic and international flights.
Furthermore, the airport will begin operations with a southern runway on August 26 and will be capable of handling 50 aircraft movements, including takeoff and landings.
Furthermore, Terminal 1 will be capable of handling 20 million people yearly.
Regarding Terminal 2, Mr Bansal stated that, ‘Navi Mumbai Airport officials have begun the design of T2 and would begin building by the middle of next year (2025). Mostly after the airport begins functioning.
Furthermore, Arun Sir stated that Terminal 2 will be finished by the end of 2028 or in the early half of 2029.
With this, they will be able to handle close to Mumbai Airport’s capacity of roughly 50 million passengers. The airport will be completed in four phases, with the first phase including a cargo and passenger terminal as well as a single runway.
By the end of all phases, the airport will have handled around 90 million passengers across four fully integrated terminals.
Launch in April 2025
Navi Mumbai International Airport will be inaugurated on April 17, 2025, and domestic and cargo operations will begin on May 15, 2025. The international flights will start in July 2025.
According to our sources, IndiGo Airlines and Akasa Air (QP) may begin early flights, with Air India (AI) and others following soon. However, airport officials stated that they will soon unveil the timeline and will be able to remark on business progress after they have received regulatory permits.
In February 2025, the airport will apply for AIP to allow private and charter operations following a 70-day wait time. AIP stands for Airport Improvement Program, and it provides grants to governmental organizations and, in some cases, private owners or companies to plan and build public-use airports.
In the first year of operation, the airport plans to handle 8-9 million domestic and 4-5 million international passengers, for a total of 13-14 million. It will take some years to reach its maximum capacity of 20 million (Terminal 1).
Mumbai Airport (BOM) is already nearing full capacity and will continue to execute its current operations properly. Navi Mumbai Airport will likely handle greater capacity and new constructions. It will, however, serve flights to several of BOM’s present domestic destinations. This will allow inhabitants of Navi Mumbai, Raigad, and Pune to go to adjacent locations and take benefit of the new airport.
PAPI Lights Tests
The Airports Authority of India conducted critical Precision Approach Path Indicator validation tests at Navi Mumbai International Airport in December 2024. The installation of the PAPI system is a crucial step toward the airport’s projected operational launch on March 31, 2025, according to Adani Airports-led NMIA authorities.
On December 12, the AAI’s Flight Inspection Unit conducted comprehensive day and night testing protocols to validate the efficacy of the PAPI system. The system uses specialized red and white signal lights positioned perpendicular to the runway to provide pilots with crucial visual advice during landing approaches.
In November 2024, IndiGo Airlines obtained simulator certification for Draft Required Navigation Performance approaches at both the Navi Mumbai and Noida airports.
The airline completed its first test flights at Noida International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport.