Navi Mumbai: In a significant step towards the operational launch of Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), the Airports Authority of India (AAI) conducted Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) validation at the NMIA runway on Thursday. This marks a crucial advancement in ensuring the airport is ready by its scheduled date of March 31, 2025.

The PAPI system, essential for guiding pilots during landing, uses a series of lights perpendicular to the runway, emitting red and white signals to help pilots maintain the correct glide path.

“The Flight Inspection Unit (FIU) of AAI conducted the validation to ensure the PAPI system functions correctly. This process is vital for pilot safety and minimizing landing errors, involving trials and analyses in both day and night conditions,” sources known to the development said.

On October 11, 2024, a significant milestone was achieved when the Indian Air Force's (IAF) C295 aircraft successfully conducted a test landing at NMIA. This event has sparked excitement among millions of residents in the region, signifying a major step towards the airport’s operational readiness.

Piloted by an expert IAF crew, the C295, a versatile transport aircraft, landed precisely on the newly constructed runway. This successful test landing not only demonstrated the airport’s capability to handle various types of aircraft but also underscored the collaborative efforts between the IAF and airport authorities to maintain high aviation safety and infrastructure standards.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport is a crucial infrastructure project aimed at relieving congestion at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). With Mumbai’s growing population and increasing air traffic, NMIA is set to alleviate the pressure on CSMIA, promising a smoother travel experience for passengers.

Residents of Navi Mumbai and nearby areas have long awaited the operationalization of NMIA, which is expected to boost the local economy, create jobs, and enhance connectivity. The successful test landing of the C295 has further fueled optimism, indicating the nearing completion of the project.

NMIA is one of the largest greenfield international airports under development in India, designed to handle 90 million passengers and 2.5 million tonnes of cargo annually. As the second international airport in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), it is planned to function as a major gateway to the country, operating in tandem with the existing CSMIA as part of an urban dual airport system.