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Jodhpur airbase shuts down for resurfacing

Jodhpur: The Jodhpur airbase of the Indian Air Force, one of the most strategically important forward airbases in the western sector, will be limitedly operational for around six months as the IAF has undertaken a total resurfacing and maintenance programme.

Not only commercial flights but also training flights of the IAF will take off from other airbases during this period that begun on Tuesday.

Various squadrons of IAF fighter planes and helicopters have been shifted to Uttarlai in Barmer and some other places in Rajasthan for operations and training, sources told PTI.

The availability of passenger flights of various airlines would also be limited as the Airports Authority of India is using the IAF airstrip and apron.

Kingfisher, Deccan and MRDL have suspended their services from the city, while Air India and Jet Airways have rescheduled their timings on mutual consultation and worked out a plan for operation of passenger flights.

“Commercial aircraft at Jodhpur will be permitted to use the airstrip between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. three times a week,” Wing Commander Satish Menon, spokesman for the South-Western Air Command headquartered at Gandhinagar (Gujarat), told PTI over telephone.

A notification was already issued, intimating all airports not to divert flights to Jodhpur during any emergency. — PTI

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