As IAF aircraft lands at Navi Mumbai airport, Shinde says Mahayuti ready for flight, fight

Mumbai: An Airbus C-295 of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Friday carried out the formal inaugural landing at Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). The aircraft was welcomed by a water salute at the runway in the presence of Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union minister of state for Civil Aviation and Co-operation, Murlidhar Mohol and Maharashtra NCP chief Sunil Tatkare.

However, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray slammed the BJP for using IAF for performing “stunts” in the country. The junior Thackeray also said that if the runway was ready, the airport would have been inaugurated.

A Sukhoi SU-30 fighter jet did a low fly at the airport to test the 3.7-km long runway. According to the state government, the NMIA, which is the largest airport of the country with a capacity to cater 9 crore passengers, will be operational by March 2025 as the airport is in the last leg of completion.

The inaugural landing event was done ahead of the imposition of model code conduct, which may come in force in the next two days, for Maharashtra Assembly election. The election is likely to be held next month.

The aircraft touched down on the newly completed 3,700-metre runway, marking a crucial step in the airport's development. Officials reported that 75 per cent of the terminal building has already been constructed. The first phase of the airport is expected to be completed by March 2025.

Highlighting the successful test, CM Shinde said that it was a historical day for the state. He announced that the Mahayuti alliance was ready for both flight and fight in the election.

“The regular flight will be operating from Navi Mumbai airport from March 2025. This airport will help reduce stress and air traffic from Mumbai airport. We will connect Mumbai with Navi Mumbai airport by metro,” the Chief Minister said.

However, Aaditya Thackeray called the event a “stunt”. Taking dig at the state government, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said that all the ruling parties should tender an apology for using the Air Force for the stunt.

“The BJP has used IAF for stunts, be it national highways constructed by Union minister Nitin Gadkari or the landing of Airbus C-295 at Navi Mumbai port. If the runway was completed and ready (for flying), the airport should have been inaugurated. Our unconstitutional chief minister did not go to the moon or any other planet to perform a stunt. The work of Navi Mumbai port is going on. It may be completed by the end of this year. The next government will inaugurate the airport. But before the Assembly election, the stunt was performed,” Mr. Thackeray said.