MUMBAI: Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), which owns and operates the city’s airport, on Thursday conducted a full-scale aerodrome emergency exercise as part of its preparedness to deal with unforeseen situations involving aircraft.
Called ‘Operation Black Panther’, the mock drill was conducted between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., in association with Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific airline. A simulated aircraft disaster was enacted as part of the drill.
Officials said the exercise helped assess and evaluate the preparedness of all response teams involved in handling aircraft emergency situations.
“This exercise provided an opportunity to response teams from the airport’s various units, including fire and emergency services, terminals, airside operations, engineering and maintenance, security, and medical services, to put their emergency training and skills to test. The mock drill also helped measure the preparedness of the local emergency response units that assist the airport during a crisis,” MIAL said in a statement.
Ten major hospitals, including Leelavati, Nanavati, Seven Hills and Kokilaben Ambani, participated in the drill. Sixteen ambulance services and government organisations such as Immigration, Customs, CISF, police and State Disaster Management Cell too took part. Over 800 volunteers were roped in to act as passengers’ friends and relatives, injured passengers and flight crew. Other agencies such as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Air Traffic Control, Mumbai Fire Brigade, airlines, and ground handling agencies were also involved in the exercise.
As per the International Civil Aviation Organisation and DGCA regulations, it is mandatory for all airports and airlines globally to hold such kind of exercise once in every two years.
