The secondary runway at Chennai airport has now got approval for operations at night, nearly two years after the first landing there in May 2014.
Airport director Deepak Shastri said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) gave approval for ‘round-the-clock operations’ sometime ago.
“So far, there was approval only for day operations. But henceforth, we have got clearance to use it at night as well,” he said, adding that only aircraft such as A320 could land on this runway and not wide-bodied aircraft like Boeing 747.
“We need another 14 acres of land to create facilities for wide-bodied aircraft to land on the secondary runway. We have already asked for the land, but the process is still on,” he added.
Since the re-carpeting of the main runway has been in progress for a while, sources said the secondary runway has been put to use during the day.
But, it is not clear if there have been any landings on the secondary runway at night yet.
Landing system
It is also to be noted the Instrument Landing System, which provides precision for safe approach and landing, is yet to be in place, sources said.
As part of the modernisation of Chennai airport, the secondary runway was be extended to about 3,400 metres at a cost of Rs. 450 crore.
The current length of the runway is only about 2,800 metres. A government audit noted there was a loss of interest of Rs. 198 crore owing to the delay in the commissioning of the runway.
