Indian Air Force Lands at Navi Mumbai International Airport: A Milestone for Adani Group
In a significant achievement for the Navi Mumbai International Airport, an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft successfully landed on its south runway. This event marks a major milestone in the development of the airport by the Adani Group, which began in August 2021. The airport is expected to be operational by early 2025.
Progress and Development
Jeet Adani, Director of Adani Airport Holdings Ltd., expressed pride in the progress of the Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd. (NMIAL). He highlighted the collaborative efforts of the Government of Maharashtra, regulatory bodies like CIDCO and Airports Authority of India, and other stakeholders in making this project possible. The airport is set to become a crucial hub for global travelers, contributing to the region’s growth.
Key Attendees
The event was attended by Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Co-operation Murlidhar Mohol, and senior officials from NMIAL and Adani Airport Holdings Ltd.
Infrastructure and Capacity
The test landing allows for the evaluation of the airport’s infrastructure, demonstrating its readiness for both civilian and military operations. NMIAL is poised to become a strategic hub for various missions, including disaster response and emergency landings. The airport will feature a 3,700-meter runway, modern passenger terminals, and advanced air traffic control systems. Terminal 1 is expected to handle up to 20 million passengers annually, with a total capacity of 90 million passengers per year upon full completion.
Ownership and Structure
NMIAL is a special purpose vehicle for the development, construction, operation, and maintenance of the airport on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis. It is part of Adani Airports Holdings Limited, owned by Mumbai International Airport Limited (74% shareholding) and City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO) (26% shareholding).
Doubts Revealed
Indian Air Force -: The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. It is responsible for defending Indian airspace and conducting aerial warfare during conflicts.
Navi Mumbai International Airport -: Navi Mumbai International Airport is a new airport being built in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It is expected to help reduce congestion at the existing Mumbai airport.
Adani Group -: The Adani Group is a large Indian multinational company involved in various sectors like energy, resources, logistics, agribusiness, real estate, financial services, and defense.
Jeet Adani -: Jeet Adani is a member of the Adani family, which owns the Adani Group. He is involved in the business operations of the group.
3,700-meter runway -: A 3,700-meter runway is a long stretch of paved surface at the airport where airplanes take off and land. It is long enough to accommodate large aircraft.
Mumbai International Airport Limited -: Mumbai International Airport Limited is the company that operates the existing Mumbai airport and is involved in the development of the Navi Mumbai International Airport.
CIDCO -: CIDCO stands for City and Industrial Development Corporation. It is a government organization in Maharashtra responsible for planning and developing new towns, including Navi Mumbai.
