AAI studies feasibility of runway expansion

The Hindu -Raviprasad Kamila
Bajpe airport cannot accommodate large planes such as the Airbus 300 and the Boeing 747SP

MANGALORE 26 Dec : Will Bajpe (Mangalore) airport of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) be able to accommodate larger aircraft such as the Airbus 300 and the Boeing 747SP in the near future? Presently it is not possible as the existing main runway has to be expanded if those aircraft are to be operated. But it is not a Herculean task, provided the State Government takes immediate measures to fill up a 75-ft valley on the eastern and western sides of the main runway and hands over the land to the AAI. The AAI is keen on expanding the runway, and a team of senior AAI officials, headed by Asha Ram, Executive Director, Aviation Safety, AAI, Delhi, arrived here on Wednesday to study the proposal and make an analysis of the risks involved. The team members discussed the aspects related to it with M.R. Vasudeva, director of the airport, pilots and other section heads at the airport. Though the AAI has taken the initiative to expand the runway, the State Government has to ensure that the valley is filled up and the land handed over the AAI.
Sources in the AAI said that at present the length of the main runway is 2,450 metres. Its length had to be extended at least by 350 metres to take the total length to 2,800 metres and more. The portion on the eastern side of the runway had to be extended by 250 metres and the one on the western side by 100 metres.
To operate the Boeing 747SP, the length of the runway should be 2,710 metres. The Airbus 330-200 requires a runway length of 2,700 metres. These larger aircraft could take off with a restricted load of 340 tonnes. The Bajpe airport now handles aircraft such as the Airbus 310 and the Boeing 737, which can take off with a load of 165 tonnes. Cargo flights and larger passenger planes can operate from here if the length of the runway is extended. Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Ram said that the Area Control Centre at the Bajpe airport started providing air traffic services for 24 hours to over flying flights two years ago. This was an important milestone in the development of the airport and safety aspects of aircraft. With this, pilots could fly with more confidence and safety. These air traffic services could be availed of even up to Mumbai. Earlier, the services were restricted to 13 hours. Earlier, Mr. Ram inaugurated the expanded departure hall at the airport which can accommodate 250 passengers at a time.