Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed that the government had ordered a formal inquiry to investigate the causes of the disruption.

The 21-gun salute is regarded as the highest ceremonial honour in India and is part of a tradition inherited from British rule, later adopted across Commonwealth nations

Ahead of operations beginning at the Navi Mumbai International Airport on December 25, the airport will also get a railway station nearby, as the Targhar station on the Uran-Belapur line is also operationalised.