Expansion of city airport runway put on hold

Expansion of city airport runway put on hold

First Published : 01 Apr 2009 01:45:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 01 Apr 2009 08:39:11 AM IST

CHENNAI: The expansion and renovation plans for the main and secondary runway at Chennai airport, with appended link and taxiways that was to begin in the first week of April have been postponed due to approval delays by airport authorities in Delhi.

On March 16, The New Indian Express reported on the proposed expansion that would go on for four months.

The Airports Authority of India had decided to close the main runway and secondary runway alternatively, between April and July, owing to runway expansion work. The main runway 07/25, was to be closed to accommodate linkways and taxiways work that was to commence at the beginning of April.

Following this, airline operators in Chennai had reportedly made a representation at the central level stating that the project was not viable owing to huge penalties on their load factor and the new summer schedules that were planned in coordination with all agencies.
Following this, the project was postponed until further discussions with the AAI chairman.
Senior AAI officials in Chennai told The New Indian Express that work on the project would begin once the planning authorities in New Delhi gave the necessary approval. From then on a NOTAM-notice to airmen has to be served at least one week prior to the beginning of this expansion.

AIRLINES’ TAKE

Operators suggest taking up extension of the secondary runway first to increase its length from 2,205m to 3,235m to facilitate take-off and landing without compromising on the load an aircraft can carry. The initial project plan had no timelines on expansion of the secondary runway.


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