Flight operations from Chennai to be hit from July

Chennai: With the Airport Authority of India (AAI) all set to start work on runway expansion from July, flight operations are expected to be crippled in Chennai for over two months when the main runway will be closed between 11 am and 5 pm.
After much deliberation over the issue, AAI chairman and his committee decided to stick to its original plan, which was highlighted in the Express issue dated March 16.
According to the plan, AAI had decided to close the main and secondary runways alternatively. The main runway 07/25, will now be closed to facilitate work on linkways and taxiways that connect the main and secondary runways for over two months from July, a senior AAI official said.
“There is no other option as connectivity between the main and secondary runways at various points is crucial. And if the secondary runway is to be made functional before the main runway, there must be proper exit and taxiways to minimise the flight occupational time on the operating runway. In this case, it would have not been feasible,” an AAI source said.
As per the current plan, work on link taxiways 1 and 2 will be taken up simultaneously and the main runway will be completely closed between 11 am and 5 pm. Airlines have been given a few options of closure time before the NOTAM (notice to airman) is issued. During this closure time, the secondary (RWY 12/30) will be available for operation and wide-bodied aircraft will have to reduce their payload - called payload penalty - for landing and take-off,” said a senior AAI official.
15/06/09 Mamta Todi/ExpressBuzz

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Categories: Airports Jun 2009