NAVI MUMBAI – As preparations ramp up for the upcoming Assembly Elections, the Navi Mumbai International Airport is making headlines with an imminent flight test of an Air Force fighter jet. Scheduled for October 11th, this significant event will see the testing of a Sukhoi aircraft on the airport's inaugural runway. The flight test is expected to attract considerable attention, with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and other government ministers in attendance. A dedicated pavilion is being constructed to accommodate distinguished guests and journalists who will witness the historic event firsthand.
Vijay Singhal, Managing Director and Vice-Chairman of CIDCO, is overseeing the final preparations as the airport gears up for the test. The CIDCO board is racing against the clock to complete three critical projects before the implementation of the Code of Conduct. Among these initiatives are the launch of the 26,000 Maha Housing Project and the distribution of homes to tribal communities in Irshalwadi, Khalapur, alongside the vital aviation test. During the runway assessment, one Sukhoi fighter jet will perform a flyby, while another will execute a landing on the airport's runway, showcasing the capabilities of the newly constructed facility.
Although plans were initially made for the event to take place in the presence of the Prime Minister, scheduling conflicts necessitated a shift to local leadership, culminating in the attendance of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar from the ruling coalition. This flight test marks a crucial milestone in the development of the Navi Mumbai International Airport and highlights the collaboration between civil and military aviation sectors.
As the date approaches, anticipation builds for what promises to be a landmark occasion for both the region and the Indian Air Force.
