Secondary runway upgrade will reduce time taken for landings and takeoffs when it becomes operational by the end of May
Secondary runway upgrade will reduce time taken for landings and takeoffs when it becomes operational by the end of May
Passengers flying in and out of Mumbai airport can expect smoother landings and fewer delays by the end of May, after the secondary runway is upgraded to match the standards of the main one.
ADVERTISEMENT
M G Jhungare, GM, ATC, said the work was being carried out between 7.30 pm and 5.30 am daily. "The secondary runway, which is 9,596 feet long, has a displaced threshold.
This means only 7,200 feet is available for landing. This, coupled with a poor riding surface and accumulation of water makes it slippery," he said. The work involves raising the height of the runway with bitumen to avoid flooding.u00a0
"Upgrading the secondary runway is very essential since several international pilots don't want to land on it," said Indian Commercial Pilots Association general secretary, Vikram Yadav.
The ongoing work, however, has created some worries.u00a0 "What if an aircraft gets disabled on the main runway during the closure?'' an airport official asked.
Officials said though Baro-da and Ahmedabad had been designated as backup airports, they were not equipped to handle the heavy Mumbai traffic.
The main runway is used for around 30 landings at night. "It will take about four hours to remove a big aircraft from it," explained Jhungare.u00a0
Tried and tested
After the runway is upgraded, the International Civil Aviation Authority will run a series of tests before giving it a safety rating, certifying that it is on par with the main runway.
"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels 
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
