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Flight Arrivals At Mumbai Airport To Be Affected Between 11 Am-Pm Due To ILS Testing On August 12 & 13

The ILS testing is essential for getting NMIA ready for operations.

by Nikitha Sebastian
Flight Arrivals At Mumbai Airport To Be Affected Between 11 Am-Pm Due To ILS Testing On August 12 & 13

Heads up, travellers! Flight arrivals at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) will face disruptions on August 12 and 13. The reason? The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will be conducting crucial Instrument Landing System (ILS) testing at Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).

Flight Arrivals At Mumbai Airport To Be Affected On August 12 & 13

The ILS testing is essential for getting NMIA ready for operations. This system helps aircraft land precisely by providing horizontal and vertical guidance. After testing, the system’s pathway needs calibration. A detailed report will be prepared for further review.

Testing was originally set for earlier but got delayed due to heavy rains last month. Now, it’s scheduled to take place from 11 am to 4 pm on both days. During this time, air traffic controllers will manage congestion by delaying flights arriving at Mumbai. Only 18 flights will land in the city compared to the usual 22 to 25. However, departures from Mumbai will continue as normal.

Also Read: SpiceJet Mumbai-Dubai Flight Delayed By 2 Hours Without Notice; Furious Passengers Create Chaos At Mumbai Airport

Why Does ILS Testing Matter?

Image Courtesy: Canva (Representative Image)

ILS testing is critical for NMIA’s readiness. The system ensures aircraft land safely and accurately, which is crucial for busy airports. The successful completion of this testing means NMIA will be one step closer to opening. Following calibration, NMIA will undergo further tests and receive necessary permissions before it can fully operate.

NMIA is set to open in March 2025. Before then, the Indian Air Force will conduct a trial run with its first aircraft landing at NMIA next month. This trial will mark a significant milestone for the airport, which is expected to become a major hub for passengers and cargo.

The Navi Mumbai Airport, officially named D B Patil International Airport, honours the late Dinkar Balu Patil, a prominent leader of the Peasants and Workers Party of India. NMIA will be the third airport in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, joining Juhu Airport and Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.

Also Read: From Instant Interrogation To Being Deboarded, Here’s Why You Should Not Even Jokingly Use The Word Bomb At Airports

In its initial phase, NMIA will handle 20 million passengers and 0.5 million metric tonnes of cargo annually. The first and second phases will include one runway, one terminal, and a passenger capacity of 20 million. Future phases will expand the airport significantly with a second runway, four terminals, and an increased capacity of up to 90 million passengers per year.

Cover Image Courtesy: @cbdhage /X (Formerly, Twitter)

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