Noida: In a significant milestone, the upcoming Noida International Airport (NIA) at Jewar, Gautam Buddha Nagar, successfully conducted its validation flight on Monday. This critical step marks progress in securing the aerodrome license, bringing the airport closer to becoming operational.

The validation flight was carried out using an IndiGo A320 passenger aircraft, with civil aviation minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu in attendance. The flight evaluated and confirmed the accuracy and functionality of the airport's navigational aids, air traffic control systems, and approach procedures, ensuring compliance with stringent safety and operational standards required for commercial operations.

Highlighting the achievement, Christoph Schnellmann, CEO of Noida International Airport, remarked, “This milestone reflects the dedication and meticulous planning that has gone into ensuring the airport is ready for commercial operations. We are gearing up for the airport’s opening and look forward to welcoming passengers soon.”

In October, NIA had undertaken a comprehensive calibration exercise for its Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) system, both essential for ensuring smooth landings and takeoffs.

During the validation flight, the Airbus A320 tested the Required Navigation Performance (RNP) and ILS approach procedures. The RNP, a navigation specification, enables aircraft to follow precise flight paths with high accuracy, further enhancing operational safety and efficiency.

With the successful validation flight completed, NIA is now focused on finalizing documentation for aerodrome certification, which will be submitted to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This achievement brings the airport one step closer to welcoming passengers, promising to redefine connectivity and infrastructure in the region.

BI Bureau