Airport runway to shut for repairs

The summer schedule of the airport ends on October 24,after which the winter schedule will come into effect. However,there would be no change in the number of flight movements despite the closure of the secondary runway.

However,according to airport officials,airlines have factored in the closure of the airport’s cross-runways every Tuesday starting from October 27 while preparing their winter schedule. The airport’s operations are expected to be completely shut for six hours every Tuesday till January for recarpeting work. Owing to this,there will be a dip in flight movements — at least 80-90 movements— every Tuesday.

“We expect a drop of 80-90 flight movements every Tuesday as airlines have factored in Tuesday’s closure in the winter schedule,” said a spokesperson for MIAL. Average air traffic movement (ATM) at the airport is between 630-650 and is expected to be between 540-550 on Tuesdays till January 31.

Meanwhile,airport officials said two taxiways,N & A4,will be closed till November 30 and taxiways W4 and F will remain shut from December 1 to January 31. “Since the height of the runway is being raised,the slope of the taxiways would have to be adjusted accordingly,” said an airport official.