Night landing at Chandigarh airport: AAI seeks Centre's nod

Chandigarh: Failing to get any favourable response from the Indian Air Force authorities in allowing night landing or extending watch hours, Airport Authority of India (AAI) has finally sought central ministry level intervention on the issue.
IAF operates the Air Traffic Control as well as the airstrip and its denial of permission has been causing problems. The international flight from Chandigarh to Dubai, which was to start in July 2009 was cancelled because night landing was not allowed.
At present, civilian aircraft are permitted to land at the local airport before 8pm only.
Director of Chandigarh airport, Captain HS Toor, said the restriction was proving troublesome.
''I have talked to higher authorities and they would discuss the matter with defence ministry. It is expected that the matter would be sorted out and international flights would begin,'' he added.
An IAF spokesperson said that many issues needed to be handled before taking this step and the decision of allowing night landing of civilian aircraft was for Western Air Command or defence ministry to make. Once started, the facility can be a boon for AAI and international passengers from the city. At present, any civilian aircraft trying to land here after 8pm is asked to return to the airport from where it took off and this inconveniences passengers.
18/06/11 Times of India

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Categories: Airports Jun 2011