he Airports Authority of India (AAI) has enforced restrictions on flights at Thiruvananthapuram international airport to speed up the works of creating ‘turning pads’ on either side of the runway.
The restrictions will be in force from 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be in force till the works relating to turning pads are completed.
The two ‘turning pads’ are being created on either side of the runway so that medium aircraft do not have to go to the end of the runway to reach the parking bays. This will allow a quick exit and save valuable time. It will also reduce the occupancy time of the runway.
The turning pads are being set up on the sides of the Runway 14 and 32 at a cost of Rs.15.77 crore by the AAI without inconveniencing the operating airlines and the passengers.
Airport Director George G. Tharakan said the turning pad on the side of the Runway 32 had already been completed. As much as 80 per cent of the work on Runway 14 was also over. The remaining works will be over by November, he added.
Gulf Air has rescheduled the departure of its flights except on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays to 9.05 a.m. till December 26 in view of the turning pad work. The GF 63 flight on Monday and Wednesday will depart from here at 9.55 p.m. and the GF 61 flight on Sunday at 10.45 a.m., according to the airline.
AI flights
Meanwhile, Air India has rescheduled the AI 967 flight from Thiruvananthapuram to Sharjah citing operational reasons till October 24.
The flight will depart from here at 6.10 p.m. instead of 7.40 p.m. Consequently, the AI 967 flight from Chennai will reach here at 7.30 p.m., a release from the Station Manager said.
turning pads are being set up on the sides of the Runway 14 and 32 at a cost of Rs.15.77 crore
