Kochi: There will be no flight operations during day time at Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) for four months from November 20 to facilitate mandatory runway re-carpeting works.
“The re-carpeting work will start on November 20 and continue till March 28, 2020. There will be no flight operation from 10 am to 6 pm during this period. The daytime flights will be re-scheduled to the night,” a statement said.
During the course of work, the AGL (Airfield Ground Lighting) system will be upgraded to CAT III from existing CAT I. This will considerably improve operational efficiency and aerodrome safety especially during low visibility and adverse weather conditions.
As part of CAT III lighting system, the spacing of existing runway centreline lights will be reduced from existing 30 meters to 15 meters and runway will be provided touch-down zone lighting and approach side row lighting.
The work also includes re-tarring, maintenance and overhauling of entire stretch of the runway, taxiway etc.
CIAL already intimated all airlines to re-schedule flights during the period so as to provide the passengers who book in advance with updated schedule.
At present CIAL is handling 240 aircraft movements a day. As majority of international flights operate from 6 pm to 9 am, re-carpeting is not going to affect international traffic in a big way. But around 35 domestic services have to be re-scheduled.
It’s mandatory for all airports to re-carpet runways once in 10 years. Kochi airport started commercial operations in 1999 and its runway underwent first re-carpeting in 2009. This is the second re-carpeting work fixed for the 3400M long and 60 M wide runway and will cost `151 crore.
