IAF hunts for more roads to land jets in emergency

New Delhi, May 21

The Air Force today successfully test-landed a Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft on the Yamuna Expressway  as part of an emergency drill.

The aircraft that took off from Gwalior landed on the expressway at 6.40 am. 

The force has plans to activate more such sites for emergency landings by jets. Such landings can be made in emergencies if an active airport is not available under certain circumstances. Mumbai and Mangalore are being considered as strategic locations where such landings can happen. 

The IAF statement said the jet made a practice approach on the highway, coming down to a height of 100 m before landing at the next approach. “The operation was conducted in 

coordination with District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police of Agra and Mathura,” it said. 

For today’s trial, all facilities such as make-shift air traffic control, safety services, rescue vehicles, bird clearance parties and other requirements were set in place by the IAF. — TNS