DGCA directive on runway use has airlines, aviation experts divided

New Delhi: There seems to be several hiccups before the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) decision to segregate landings and take-offs on the primary and secondary runways can be implemented on ground. The decision has evoked mixed reactions from the airlines and experts.
According to the directive, the primary runways will be used only for take-offs and the secondary ones for landings. Several airlines feel that this can cause further delays and that both runways “cannot be used optimally”. “From 5.30 am to 8.30 am, 99 per cent of the flight movement is exclusively take-offs. If the DGCA directive is implemented, it will not be decreasing load as only one runway will remain in use,” said a seniorJetlite official.
DIAL will also have to construct more taxiways and segregate the existing ones to ensure smooth movement of planes on the ground. “Also, more taxiways will mean even lesser parking bays,” said a senior Air India official. International aircraft, using the secondary runway, will be landing further away from their parking space near Terminal 2.
The maintenance time of the runways, which is done usually in the afternoon at present, will also be affected.
20/12/07 K Sobhana/Delhi Newsline

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Categories: Airports Dec 2007