A calibration flight, operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), has successfully touched down at the under-construction Noida International Greenfield Airport in Jewar. This milestone marks a critical advancement in the airport’s journey to full operational status. Videos capturing the calibration aircraft’s landing at the Jewar airport have quickly gained traction on social media.
According to an official statement from the Uttar Pradesh government, the calibration flight is a vital test conducted before any new airport commences operations. It rigorously verifies the accuracy of the airport’s navigation and communication systems. The successful completion of this flight is a significant step forward, bringing Jewar Airport closer to adhering to international aviation safety standards and accelerating the process of obtaining operational clearance.
Dhirendra Singh, the BJP MLA for Jewar, expressed his pride in this achievement, stating that the successful landing signals the project’s imminent readiness to welcome its first passengers. He remarked, “Today is a historic day for Jewar, as the calibration flight landed at Noida International Airport. … After the calibration flight landed today, there are no longer any obstacles preventing it from receiving flight permission. I am hopeful that the public will soon be able to board aeroplanes from here.”
What is a calibration flight?
A calibration flight is a specialized testing procedure designed to ensure that an airport’s critical systems, including its Instrument Landing System (ILS), radar, and air navigation equipment, perform in accordance with established international safety standards. During these flights, specially equipped aircraft fly at various altitudes and angles to meticulously assess the signal strength, stability, and precision of the ground-based systems. This process is a collaborative effort involving flight inspectors, technical engineers, and air traffic control specialists.
AAI’s calibration aircraft are outfitted with advanced instrumentation to collect real-time data during flight. This data undergoes thorough analysis to identify and rectify any technical discrepancies, thereby guaranteeing the highest level of system accuracy.
Jewar Airport’s Future Outlook
Upon becoming operational, the Noida International Airport is poised to become one of India’s largest airports and a pivotal aviation hub for the National Capital Region (NCR). While the official inauguration date has not yet been announced, the airport’s development is progressing steadily. The initial phase will encompass approximately 1,334 hectares of land, featuring a single runway, a terminal building, and an annual passenger capacity of 12 million.