Third runway at Delhi airport shut down

The third runway at the Delhi airport, which was built to ensure more efficiency in flight operations during foggy conditions, was shut down today, even as the airport witnessed its first bout of significant fog this morning.
According to airport sources, this happened because the new runway still does not have an operational surface movement radar, which is integral to flight operations during low visibility conditions.
A statement from Delhi Airport International Ltd (DIAL) said it was the old runway that was used today, adding that low visibility procedures had to be implemented when the visibility fell to 850 metres. More than a dozen flights were delayed because of the fog.
“The surface movement radar at the new runway has been installed but has not been operationalised yet. This is the reason why we have not got the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) clearance for operating flights in lower visibility conditions at the airport yet,” said an airport official.
This is not the first time when the third runway has had to be closed. Within a week of starting operations, the third runway had to be practically closed for the entire day on September 29 when the instrument landing system at the runway collapsed.
11/12/08 Anirban Chowdhury/Business Standard

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Categories: Airports Dec 2008