Airport to remain shut for repair from May 12 to 31

Tribune News Service

Mohali, March 13

The Chandigarh international airport will remain closed for operations from May 12 to May 31 for the second phase of runway repair, airport officials announced today.

Chandigarh International Airport Limited (CHIAL) public relations officer (PRO) Deepesh Joshi said, “As per the NOTAM (notice to airmen), no civil and military flights will operate from Chandigarh from May 12 to May 31.”

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is carrying out runway resurfacing work at the airport and as per directions of the High Court, the runway had to remain shut for 15 days on two occasions. The first phase was completed between February 12 and February 26.

Airport sources said the contractor working on the runway requested for four additional days of closure since during the first phase, the repair work was hampered by inclement weather.

The sources said the IAF might increase the operation hours from dawn to dusk after the end of the second period of closure. The watch hours at the airport, currently from 5 am to 4 pm, are likely to change to 7.20 am to 5.30 pm when the summer schedule comes into effect from March 25.

Airport officials said the available runway length, which had been reduced to 7,200 ft for the resurfacing work, would increase to 9,000 ft and in due course of time to 10,400 ft.

Suneel Dutt, CEO, CHIAL, said, “The upgrade of the runway will attract several airlines to operate long-haul flights from Chandigarh to popular destinations such as the US, Canada, Europe and the UK. After the completion of civil works on the runway, lighting work for the night landing facility will start and it will be completed on time.”

The Federation of Indian Airlines, a private airlines’ body, had earlier written to the authorities, raising apprehensions regarding the proposed closure in May, considering that it was the peak time for airlines and airports.

Second phase of runway repair

The Indian Air Force is carrying out runway resurfacing work at the airport and as per directions of the High Court, the runway had to remain shut for 15 days on two occasions. The first phase was completed between February 12 and February 26. The work on the second phase will be undertaken now.