Passengers and airlines to face problems as runway is relaid
Posted on: 25/Aug/2015 10:02:18 AM
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will be re-laying the primary runway at the Chennai Airport. Flights that run between 10.30am and 6pm will be rescheduled because of this. Unfortunately, this will result in congestion and, therefore, delayed check in and security check.
The decision to do the work come in the wake of the Civil Aviation Ministry`s decision to do away with privatization of the airport. The AAI will continue to develop it instead. The runway work is expected to go on till May 2016.
Speaking about this, an Airport official said, `The runway re-carpeting would be taken up between 10.30am and 6pm. We have informed the airlines about the work and have arrived at a a consensus regarding the flight schedules. However, the airport will not be closed when the re-carpeting work is going on. Flights will be allowed to land on the main runway with restrictions. The work will be taken up in portions.`
The second runway will be used to allow ATR aircraft to land as it does not have an instrument landing system. The pilots will need to make a visual landing by looking directly out of the cockpit.
Sources say, `Availability and usable length of the runway would be communicated to the airlines on a daily basis so that they would be able to schedule flights accordingly. We will ensure that a portion of the runway will be available for landing and takeoff.`
The runway work will affect domestic airlines and its passengers. Passengers will need to plan to reach the airport well in advance to avoid delays. Also, flights may need to reduce the baggage and cargo if they fly during the time of work being done. Also, airlines will need to make sure that their flights take off on time to reach Chennai at the right time to avoid congestion.
