India set to get its first bridge-on-sea runway

New Delhi: India is all set to get its first bridge-on-sea runway. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has proposed to extend the runway at Agatti island by building a 1,000-foot-long bridge on the sea and link it to the existing 4,500-feet-long runway of the airport. This technological marvel, along with a new terminal building, is expected to be built at a cost of Rs 150 crore within two years of getting Lakshadweep administration's nod.
At present, ATRs operate to Agatti. But the small airstrip means there's a load penalty, or in simple terms the 70-seater plane can't have more than 48 passengers to remain light enough and operate on the available 4,500 feet. Once the runway is 5,500 feet, ATRs can operate to capacity and Canadian Regional Jets can also fly in, said a senior official.
13/05/10 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India

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Categories: Airports May 2010, New May 2010