Tag Archives: runway

Navi Mumbai Airport to open April 17

 

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is set for its grand inauguration on April 17, with domestic operations commencing in the second half of May, according to Arun Bansal, CEO, Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. This long-awaited greenfield airport aims to enhance connectivity and ease the burden on Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The announcement followed the successful completion of a validation flight, marking a key step toward operational readiness.

An IndiGo Airlines A320 aircraft conducted the trial landing on Runway 08/26, receiving a ceremonial water cannon salute from two Crash Fire Tenders (CFT). This flight, part of the critical aerodrome certification process, evaluated technical aspects such as landing, takeoff operations, and safety protocols. Senior officials from DGCA, AAI, Customs, Immigration, CISF, and CIDCO were present during the event. The validation flight confirmed the readiness of the airport’s Instrument Approach Procedures and ensured compliance with safety standards.

The validation process also included calibration of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI), crucial for safe operations, especially during low-visibility conditions. With these systems in place, NMIA is on track to receive its aerodrome licence from DGCA. Once fully certified, NMIA’s flight procedures will be integrated into the global Electronic Aeronautical Information Publication (eAIP), enabling seamless international operations.

Located in Ulwe, NMIA is expected to transform the region, boosting the local economy and fostering regional development. The project, in planning for years, represents a significant milestone for India’s aviation sector. Earlier, on October 11, 2024, an Indian Air Force C-295 aircraft became the first to land on the airport’s runway, setting the stage for further trials and progress toward operational readiness.

DGCA reports 25% drop in air proximity incidents

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has reported a 25% reduction in air proximity incidents in 2023 compared to the previous two years. Air proximity incidents occur when two aircraft come dangerously close mid-air, posing a risk of collision.

In its latest safety review, the DGCA highlighted significant safety improvements, including a 23% drop in unstabilized approaches, where aircraft deviate from the ideal speed, descent rate, or alignment during landing. This reduction minimizes the risk of runway excursions and unsafe landings.

Additionally, alerts from the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS), designed to prevent planes from crashing into the ground, have decreased by 92%. This sharp decline lowers the risk of controlled flight into terrain (CFIT), a leading cause of aviation accidents.

The DGCA attributed these improvements to the National Aviation Safety Plan (NASP), which sets annual safety targets. “Our data-driven approach ensures safety is at the core of aviation growth and helps identify emerging issues,” the DGCA stated.

These achievements underscore the regulator’s ongoing efforts to strengthen aviation safety in Indian airspace.

Rain Forces Cancellation of 36 Flights at Mumbai Airport

Sources reported that yesterday, Mumbai airport cancelled 36 flights due to intermittent heavy rain spells that hit the city. The facility operator had to suspend runway operations twice within nearly an hour, albeit briefly.

The flights cancelled at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport were of budget airline IndiGo as well as full-service carriers Air India and Vistara, as per the source.

“Heavy rains, which continued to hit the city at a frequent interval and low visibility led to the cancellation of 18 arrivals and departures each on Sunday,” said the source.

These cancellations involve 24 flights of IndiGo, including 12 departures, and eight by Air India, in-cluding4 departures. Vistara also cancelled four of its flights at Mumbai Airport the source said.

Earlier a source said that runway operations were first suspended for eight minutes at 12.12 pm and later again from 1 pm to 1.15pm. (Source: The Indian Express)

MoD, DGCA approve original site for Purandar Airport

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Directorate General of Civic Aviation (DGCA) have approved the proposed airport at the original site in Purandar, Pune, clearing all technical hurdles for the project, said MoS Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol.

According to Mohol, while MoD gave the green signal in May 2024, he got to know about DGCA approval for airport project on Saturday morning, reports Hindustan Times.

“With the approvals, about 99 per cent technical issues related to the proposed airport has been addressed and the next step is land acquisition,” he said, adding that he will take it up with the Airports Authority of India (AAI), DGCA, and Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC).

On the Pune airport runway expansion and starting of new terminal, Mohol said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has already cleared Central Industrial Security Force’s (CISF) proposal to allot 241 personnel for the new terminal building.

“For bigger aircraft of D and E type to fly from Pune airport, we need to expand the runway for which 35 acres is needed. Plan will be made to allocate fund for land acquisition from the state government, Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations,” he said.

While C-type aircraft have size between 24 to 36 metres, D is 36-52 metre and E in the range of 52 to 65 metres.
Mohol said, “The launch of new terminal building was awaited due to approval for CISF personnel. Amit Shah has assured me to allot manpower at the earliest.”

 

Manta Air to launch Dhaalu Airport-Bengaluru flights on March 1; to induct two A321

Maldives’ Manta Air is gearing up to launch its commercial operations into to Bengaluru starting March 1. The airline recently conducted a non-commercial flight from Bengaluru to Dhaalu Airport in the Maldives, signaling its foray into the international market. Despite diplomatic tensions between the Maldives and India, Manta Air’s executives remain optimistic about the upcoming venture.

The airline’s 3.5-hour flight aims to establish direct connectivity to Dhaalu Atoll, a region in the Maldives that has faced logistical challenges for tourists. Limited seaplane frequency and a lack of awareness about the area have hindered travel. With the ongoing expansion of Dhaalu Airport, Manta Air aims to draw more tourists to this previously inaccessible destination.

Bookings for the airline’s first commercial flight on March 1 are already open, and the initial response has been positive. Manta Air plans to utilise its 64-seater ATR 72-600 aircraft with dual configuration, offering both premium and economy class seats. Furthermore, the airline has ambitious plans to expand its operations to other Indian cities, including Chennai, Kochi, Mumbai, and Delhi in the near future.

To support this expansion, Manta Air will be adding two Airbus A321s to its existing fleet and investing USD 20 million in the expansion of Dhaalu Airport. The airport’s enhancements include a 30% increase in both arrival and departure sides, along with an extended runway to accommodate larger aircraft by December 2025.

Despite diplomatic challenges, Manta Air remains positive about the potential for travel demand, especially from India to the Maldives, particularly in the honeymoon and family market segments. The post-pandemic surge in travel demand in the Maldives is a driving force behind the airline’s strategic expansion. Manta Air anticipates the involvement of other international carriers, with discussions underway with AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India) and a potential partnership with Indigo to meet broader demand from various parts of India. The executives believe that the diplomatic tensions will not have a long-term impact on travel and view the Maldives and Lakshadweep as complementary destinations rather than competitors.

Delhi Airport Main Runway Faces Week-Long Delay in Reopening

Delhi Airport’s primary airstrip, runway 28/10, originally slated to resume operations on January 19 following scheduled re-carpeting, is now expected to remain closed for at least an additional week. An official statement cites unforeseen technical issues hindering the timely completion of system integration at the runway.

The 3,813-meter-long and 45-meter-wide CAT III compliant runway has been undergoing re-carpeting since mid-September 2023. Despite successful completion of construction and refurbishment, the runway’s reopening has been delayed, with a new timeline of 8 to 10 days.

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) is collaborating with Honeywell to expedite the remaining processes.

The delay was communicated to the Civil Aviation Ministry, with the airport attributing the setback to the G20 Summit and the imposition of GRAP-IV anti-pollution measures in Delhi, which pushed the refurbishment project after the summit.

In related developments, Delhi Airport reports that its newly constructed fourth runway is set to achieve CAT III compliance on January 26, joining runways 28/10 and 29L/11R. The fourth compliant runway aims to enhance the airport’s operational capacity.

The recent runway closure adds to the challenges faced by the airport due to severe fog in North India, causing disruptions and delays. The airport has been working to improve its infrastructure and comply with international standards to handle increased passenger and airside capacities.