Chennai airport opens rapid exit taxiway to ease flight traffic congestion

The addition of new taxiways will be a boost for Chennai airport as it is expected to migrate to New Integrated Terminal (NITB Phase I) in the coming days.

By: Express Web Desk

Chennai | May 19, 2023 12:52 PM IST

2 min read

Apart from the new rapid exit taxiway, the airport has also commissioned 150.93-metre-long link taxiway which provides an additional entry and exit to the main apron. (Representational image/File)

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Chennai International Airport has commissioned the rapid exit taxiway to ease congestion and streamline the flow of aircraft during peak hours.

Two taxiways – ‘Zulu’ (Z/RET-1), and Link Taxiway D-1 – were launched on Thursday. A taxiway is a defined path intended to provide a link between one part of the aerodrome with another including to and from the runway.

According to a statement from the airport authorities, the commissioning of both taxiways comes at a time when the Chennai airport’s peak hour handling capacity is expected to go up from the present 36 movements per hour to 45 movements per hour.

“With steady increase in air traffic at Chennai Airport, the augmentation of airside infrastructure resulting in operational efficiency has been of paramount importance. The newly commissioned rapid exit taxiway will be a huge fillip to airside operations by minimising Runway Occupancy Time (ROT) for arriving flights and thereby increasing overall runway throughput,” the statement read.

A rapid exit taxiway is linked to runways at an angle that permits aircraft to exit the runway at a high speed. It was noted that the rapid exit taxiway, designed to accommodate Code E aircraft operations, is a significant addition to the existing infrastructure at the airport.

“With a length of 400 metres and a width of 23 metres, this taxiway is strategically located at a distance of 1,831 meters from Runway 07 threshold, connecting to Taxiway – B (Bravo).”

Apart from the new rapid exit taxiway, the airport has also commissioned 150.93-metre-long link taxiway which provides an additional entry and exit to the main apron.

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The implementation of this taxiway will facilitate swift and safe manoeuvring of aircraft on the main apron, particularly during peak hour traffic, thus reducing congestion in the taxiway network, also bestowing more flexibility to airside operations of the Chennai airport, the authorities said.

“With the migration to New Integrated Terminal (NITB Phase I) expected in coming days, the addition of new taxiways will be a major shot in the arm for the city airport, which is ever closer to pre-pandemic figures and looking forward to adding new airlines and routes,” the airport authorities said.

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