Extended runway commissioned at Madurai airport

Madurai: With the commissioning of the extended portion of runway and installation of instrumental landing system (ILS) last week, the Madurai airport is inching closer to becoming an international terminal.
With the 7,500-feet runway, the airport was ready to handle A320 aircraft, airport sources said. “Earlier, with 5,990 feet of runway, only smaller aircraft and modified A320 aircraft could be handled. There was restriction on the aircraft load even for the modified A320 because of the limited length of runway.”
The runway was extended by 1,500 feet on its western side and the extended portion was commissioned on September 24. Indian (Airlines) that had a fleet of modified A320 aircraft would be a major beneficiary.
After two days of calibration work, the ILS at the airport was ready for commissioning. A flight inspection unit conducted test sorties on Friday and Saturday. The ILS would help “all-weather and all-time” landing of flights on the eastern side of the runway.
30/09/08 S. Sundar/The Hindu

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Categories: Airports Sep 2008