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By:

Bhalchandra Chorghade

11 August 2025 at 1:54:18 pm

International flights from July 1

Mumbai: Mumbai’s rapidly expanding second aviation hub may be preparing for its biggest operational leap yet. International flight operations from Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) are tentatively expected to commence from July 1, according to sources familiar with the development, although details regarding participating airlines, destinations, and flight frequencies are still being finalized. If the timeline materializes, the move would mark a significant milestone for the greenfield...

International flights from July 1

Mumbai: Mumbai’s rapidly expanding second aviation hub may be preparing for its biggest operational leap yet. International flight operations from Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) are tentatively expected to commence from July 1, according to sources familiar with the development, although details regarding participating airlines, destinations, and flight frequencies are still being finalized. If the timeline materializes, the move would mark a significant milestone for the greenfield airport, which has already witnessed sharp growth in domestic passenger traffic within months of beginning operations on December 25, 2025. Aviation industry observers believe the introduction of international services could substantially accelerate traffic redistribution across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region while easing pressure on the heavily congested Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). Sources indicated that discussions are underway with multiple carriers regarding slot allocation and operational readiness. However, officials maintained that the July 1 date remains tentative and subject to regulatory clearances, airline preparedness, and completion of final operational protocols linked to immigration, customs, and international passenger handling systems. The expected rollout comes at a time when NMIA is already demonstrating strong operational momentum. Airport officials said the facility is currently handling more than 148 air traffic movements (ATMs) daily, translating into approximately 20,500 passengers every day. Around 10,500 of these passengers are outbound travelers, reflecting growing demand from flyers increasingly shifting to the new airport. Officials noted that the airport’s traffic growth has been accompanied by relatively stable operational performance. According to airport authorities, on-time arrivals currently stand at 96.4%, while on-time departures are recorded at 86.7%. Industry experts say such figures are considered robust for an airport still in its initial expansion phase. The proposed international launch is also expected to strengthen NMIA’s role in Mumbai’s broader aviation ecosystem. Industry stakeholders believe airlines may initially deploy short-haul Gulf and Southeast Asian routes from the airport before gradually expanding to longer international sectors depending on passenger response and bilateral slot availability. Officials have previously projected that NMIA could eventually handle nearly 50,000 passengers daily, more than double its current throughput. Analysts say the commencement of international operations could significantly accelerate that target. Experts believe international connectivity could now become the airport’s defining next phase. “Domestic operations established the airport operationally, but international flights will determine how quickly NMIA evolves into a true global gateway,” an aviation consultant said. Passengers, meanwhile, are expected to benefit from reduced congestion, shorter turnaround times, and modern terminal infrastructure. With CSMIA operating under significant slot constraints, NMIA’s emergence is increasingly being viewed as essential to sustaining Mumbai’s long-term aviation growth.

AAIB probe points to low visibility as a cause

Preliminary probe report says the visibility at Baramati airport was only 2000 meter against the minimum requirement of 5000 meter

Mumbai: Pointing to a stunning violation of norms, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has said that visibility at Baramati airport was only 2000 meter when the ill-fated Learjet 45XR plane carrying Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed on January 28. The stipulated visibility rules are minimum 5000 meter for visual landings that must be strictly adhered to.


In its 22-page preliminary report into the air-disaster just minutes prior to landing of the non-scheduled flight carrying VIP, the AAIB said on that day, one of the two temporary Air Control Towers at Baramati – usually manned by ground instructors or students – was being handled by a ground instructor from a nearby flying academy.


When the ill-fated aircraft approached, the pilots asked about visibility they were informed around 3000 meter based on ground markers with calm winds and cleared the flight for landing.


However, the AAIB found that the Meteorological Aerodrome Report (METAR) of Pune that morning showed lowest visibility of 2000 meter from 8.10 am to 8.30 am with clear skies, while satellite images indicated a shallow, patchy fog around Baramati at that time. AAIB also said that all aspects of the plane crash will be investigated to bring out facts, root causes and contributory factors.


Accordingly, the aircraft attempted to land first but did a go-around and then the crew reported sighting Runway 11 and started the second landing approach after clearance.


But, barely seconds later, something went seriously wrong and as corroborated by CCTV footage from a nearby village, the aircraft banked sharply to the right, instead of touching down on the runway, it crashed around 50 meter to the left of Runway 11, at 8.46 am.


The falling aircraft struck several trees before impacting the ground that was lower than the runway surface, it caught a major fire engulfing the cockpit and the cabin where the passengers were and the plane was completely destroyed.


Moments prior to the ground-hit, the radio recordings captured a rattling reaction from the cockpit: “Oh S..t, Oh S...t”, as it plunged to tragedy.


Negative Test

The preflight breathalyser tests for both the Pilot in Command Sumit Kapur and First Officer were negative, as per the records provided by the VSRVPL teams.


The AAIB reiterated that both the onboard recorders – the Digital Flight Data Recorder and the Cockpit Voice Recorder – were retrieved from the usual position in the tail section of the aircraft.


Both the DFDR and CV suffered intense heat damage but the raw data from the DFDR has been retrieved in New Delhi. The CVR, built by Honeywell needs specialised recovery due to the thermal damage and assistance has been sought from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in line with global aviation norms.


Attempting to cobble up the fast-paced developments – poor visibility, the missed approach, a repeat landing attempt and the fatal crash - the AAIB has not apportioned any blame nor indicated what exactly went wrong in those final few seconds over the fog-it Baramati runway.


The probe was conducted by a three-member AAIB team led by its Director General, later a 3-member team from DGCA also joined the probe, ordered under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025.


AAIB probe progress and safety counsel

The AAIB has recorded statements of the VSRVPL personnel and other key persons which are being verified against physical and technical evidence.


Crucial documents pertaining to the Learjet 45XR’s airworthiness, operations and flight safety have been seized for scrutiny, the wreckage shifted to a secure location for further investigations after on-site findings were documented.


The NTSB, US, has appointed an accredited representative along with technical advisers to join the probe, and records gathered from multiple stakeholders are under review. The AAIB stated that every aspect of the accident will be examined to establish the facts, identify the root cause and determine contributing factors.


The AAIB has also issued safety recommendations to the DGCA, urging strict enforcement of standard procedures for visual flights operating to uncontrolled airfields.


It has asked aerodrome operators to ensure flights - including private, charter and VIP operations - are permitted only when weather conditions meet prescribed safety norms.


With growing charters, private or VIP flights to such airfields, the AAIB has sought stronger oversight to ensure safety standards are maintained and regularly audited, improving landing aids and basic weather data facilities, plus examining whether such aerodromes should be formally licensed for regulated operations.


What the AAIB said?

“In view of the interim findings brought out so far, it is considered necessary to issue following interim safety recommendations so that necessary preventive actions can be taken promptly to enhance aviation safety. It is recommended that DGCA may issue necessary directions to all operators operating VFR flights to uncontrolled airfields to strictly adhere to the laid down standard operating procedures.”

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