Flying to Mumbai? Lose weight now

International airlines operating long-haul flights to Mumbai put their aircraft on a weight-loss programme on Thursday as the ongoing repairs rendered a large stretch of the main runway unavailable for operations for over four months.
With the main runway cut short by a good 1,500 feet because of drainage and other works, aircraft on long-haul routes, mainly the Boeing 777s and Boeing 747s, will have to fly lighter to be able to land or take-off.
The repair works have reduced the main runway 27/09’s length from 11,300 feet to about 9,800 feet. The secondary runway 14/32 is about 9,500 feet long anyway.
What this essentially means is that in peak winter season, airlines may have to cut their cargo loads or carry fewer passengers. Putting new luggage ceilings in place could be another option.
On Thursday afternoon, work began on a new drainage line and connection between ‘N’ taxiway and the end of the runway. Though these works are outside the runway, about 1,500 feet of main runway will not be available till January 31.
The instrument landing system will also not be available, which means the runway can be used only if the visibility is 5000 metres. In case the visibility is low, the secondary runway will be used.
24/09/10 Aneesh Phadnis/Mumbai Mirror

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Categories: airports Sep 2010