While a part of the new integrated terminal building at Chennai airport is likely to be opened in two months, the air side congestion too is likely to be reduced as an important taxiway is getting ready simultaneously.
The straightening of the taxiway, “Bravo”, which was taken up four years ago, has been completed and final approval is expected from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The taxiway had a curve because of which aircraft were taking longer time to reach the primary runway from the terminal, resulting in delays and causing higher fuel consumption. Hence, the plan to straighten this curve and ease the movement of aircraft was initiated and work started in 2018.
Officials of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) said the construction work was over and the DGCA inspected the work recently. Though scheduled to be completed within two years, the work got delayed because of the pandemic.
The DGCA officials carried out a safety inspection of the taxiway and gave us some observations. We have made the changes and sent a document back to them. We are hoping to get their approval shortly. After that, there are a few formalities like issuing some notifications. If these procedures are completed, we plan to open it by June,” the official said.
The airport’s runway can handle a maximum of only 35-36 flights an hour. When the work on two rapid exit taxiways is finished, then the congestion may decrease substantially and the number of flights the runway operates will increase.
