Chennai: Airlines are paying the price for various shortfalls at Chennai airport. Flights are getting delayed and turnaround time is hit because part of a taxiway parallel to the main runway has been closed for maintenance.
Airports Authority of India had been planning maintenance work since pilots complained the taxiway was bumpy. But the time chosen, when flights land from Pallavaram-end (07) of the runway and need the closed taxiway — Bravo — to reach parking bays at the passenger terminals, doesn't seem to be right.
"A new taxiway on the western side of the main runway has been opened for planes to vacate the runway after landing. But this is a circuitous route. We have to take additional fuel for 10-15 minutes taxiing and suffer delays," said an airline official. Air traffic controllers leave 13-14 miles between approaching flights to give time for planes to vacate the runway after touchdown.
07/02/14 V Ayyappan/Times of India
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Airports Authority of India had been planning maintenance work since pilots complained the taxiway was bumpy. But the time chosen, when flights land from Pallavaram-end (07) of the runway and need the closed taxiway — Bravo — to reach parking bays at the passenger terminals, doesn't seem to be right.
"A new taxiway on the western side of the main runway has been opened for planes to vacate the runway after landing. But this is a circuitous route. We have to take additional fuel for 10-15 minutes taxiing and suffer delays," said an airline official. Air traffic controllers leave 13-14 miles between approaching flights to give time for planes to vacate the runway after touchdown.
07/02/14 V Ayyappan/Times of India
