Noida airport successfully completes calibration flight to test navigation system

Noida International Airport (NIA) on Monday successfully completed the calibration of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI).

In a statement, the airport said that a Beech King Air 360ER from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) began the calibration process on October 10 and concluded on Monday. The calibration was carried out by AAI with support from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to ensure operational readiness and maintain the highest safety standards for aircraft operations at the airport.

“The calibration, carried out by AAI with support from DGCA India, represents a crucial milestone in our journey toward operational readiness, ensuring the highest safety standards for aircraft operations,” Noida International Airport said in a post on X.

What are ILS and PAPI?

The ILS is a radio navigation system that provides precise guidance to pilots during approach and landing, particularly in low-visibility conditions. This capability is crucial for maintaining operational efficiency and minimizing delays at the airport.

The PAPI is a system of lights positioned beside the runway, designed to provide visual indications to pilots regarding their correct descent angle during the final approach.

The successful calibration of the ILS and PAPI is a significant step forward for Noida International Airport as it progresses toward its operational launch. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Jewar Airport on November 26, 2021. The airport is expected to be operational later this year, two years before IGI Airport reaches its threshold traffic handling capacity.

The airport is strategically located about 72 km from Indira Gandhi International Airport, approximately 52 kilometers from Noida, around 130 kilometers from Agra, and about 90 kilometers from the Multi-Modal Logistics Hub at Dadri.