Runway work, fewer taxiways hold up flights

Mumbai: The closure of Mumbai airport's runway 14:32 for maintenance from October 1 is causing major delays. Only runway 09:27 is available for operation. In addition, six of the 26 taxiways have been closed, forcing a plane to spend 10 minutes to an hour on the ground before takeoff.
"Both domestic and international flights take off and land on the main runway now as the secondary runway is closed for maintenance till January," said a Mumbai International Airport Limited (Mial) official.Earlier, runway 14:32 was used for domestic flights.
The problem has worsened owing to non-availability of six taxiways linked to the main runway --- A3, G, B6, S, N9, and N10.While A3, G, and B6 are closed for drain work as the Mithi flows under them, S was decommissioned three months ago.The edge-lights on taxiways N9 and N10 are not working.
08/10/09 Naveeta Singh/Daily News & Analysis

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Categories: Airports Oct 2009