DIAL to repair one runway

Tribune News Service

Advertisement

New Delhi, April 1

Delhi International Airport (P) Limited (DIAL), a GMR-led Consortium, which runs Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), has assured that there would no disruption of flights due to the repair work which it would undertake on one of the runways from April 5.

In a release issued here, it said that DIAL is set to do some necessary and preventive repair work on Runway 10/28, starting April 5. It is expected to be completed within seven days.

Periodic repair is crucial to ensure the lifespan of the runway. During the seven days, repair on the top layer of the runway in certain areas is being executed. 

In collaboration with the stakeholders, DGCA, ATC and the airlines, it was decided to carry out the work in one stretch over a period of seven days instead of a piecemeal approach over a few months. 

This exercise will ensure the best and lasting quality of the runway. During the closure of runway 10/28 over the seven days, runways 09/27 and 11/29 will be fully available on a 24X7 basis to handle the traffic.

These two runways would be sufficient to take care of the current need of air traffic movement. Once the repair of runway 10/28 is completed and it becomes operational, the airside efficiency of IGI Airport will improve, DIAL said.

According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines, the lifespan of a typical runway pavement worldwide, though it is some 20 years, the airport operators must carry out the necessary repair once in every 5-6 years in a bid to end any sign of runway pavement distress or cracks.