Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) has acquired a full-fledged aircraft recovery module complementing the Dedicated Disabled Aircraft Recovery Team (DART) trained and certified by Fraport AG Fire Training Center, Frankfurt, Germany, to enable the airport to effect timely removal of disabled aircraft and keep the runway closure to the minimum.
The aircraft recovery equipment is from Resqtec B.V Zumro, the Netherlands, and KUNZ GmbH, Germany, and costs Rs.7.25 crore.
The newly-inducted equipment comprises a complete set of de-bogging kit and ground reinforcement system to pull narrow body aircraft with damage to the undercarriage using heavy vehicles over any swampy or clumsy terrains, said a statement issued by the airport authority.
Removal of disabled aircraft in a very short span of time without causing secondary damage to the helps keep repair costs down and also ensures that the airport is open for normal flight operations very quickly.
CIAL is now capable of recovering narrow body aircraft like B737, B727, A319, A320 and A321 and wide bodied aircraft. CIAL’s DART can also render services at other airports when needed.
CIAL DART was formed in 2012 after a Gulf Air flight overshot the runway while landing and came to a halt in the slush. Following the incident, the equipment needed for removing the disabled aircraft had to be brought by Air India form Mumbai as CIAL had no aircraft recovery equipment. However, the Air India flight was delayed owing to uncertainty about landing at the airport here.
The system to help in timely removal of disabled aircraft and keeping runway closure to minimum
