IAF Coordinates 600 Jets For Ambani's Big Bash

EE News Desk Apr 16, 2024

Jamnagar’s small airport, typically accommodating about five civilian aircraft daily, was transformed during the pre-wedding festivities for Mukesh Ambani’s son, managing about 600 flights with support from the Indian Air Force.

Normally functioning as a military airfield with a civilian section, the Jamnagar Airport experienced an extraordinary surge in traffic from 23 February to 4 March, 2024.

A report in the media detailed that the Reliance Group requested help from the Defence Secretary to allow the airfield to operate around the clock for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's pre-wedding celebrations.

Following this request, the Chief of Air Staff approved continuous operations at the base. Although the airport was initially prepared for 30-40 aircraft, it ultimately handled over 600 movements during the five key days of the festivities.

The airfield, predominantly a military base, collaborates with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to manage civil aviation operations. The Air Traffic Control (ATC) efficiently coordinates both scheduled and unscheduled civil flights, as well as ongoing defence activities.

Jamnagar, located south of the Gulf of Kutch and the fifth largest city in Gujarat, hosts one of the world’s largest oil refinery complexes. For the event, the airport was temporarily designated as an international airport by the AAI.

To support the event, IAF personnel constructed additional roads, taxi tracks, and stops to ensure the smooth movement and efficient unloading of passengers and cargo. Furthermore, the temporary closure of Mumbai Airport for unscheduled flights led to the use of the IAF’s technical area to manage the increased flight operations safely.

The IAF also contributed significantly to ensuring smooth operations during manpower shortages provided by Reliance. As previously mentioned in a media report, the airport authority had to establish a temporary customs, immigration, and quarantine counter, as well as renovate the airport within approximately 45 days.

The celebration was graced by high-profile attendees including Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Ivanka Trump, Shah Rukh Khan, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, and Sachin Tendulkar. The event featured a performance by global popstar Rihanna, who was reportedly paid between $8-9 million, equivalent to about Rs 66-74 crore.