Date:30/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/30/stories/2008093057430100.htm

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Extended runway commissioned at airport

S. Sundar

— Photo: K. Ganesan

raising expectations: New terminal building under construction at the Madurai airport.

MADURAI: With the commissioning of the extended portion of runway and installation of instrumental landing system (ILS) last week, the Madurai airport is inching closer to becoming an international terminal.

With the 7,500-feet runway, the airport was ready to handle A320 aircraft, airport sources said. “Earlier, with 5,990 feet of runway, only smaller aircraft and modified A320 aircraft could be handled. There was restriction on the aircraft load even for the modified A320 because of the limited length of runway.”

The runway was extended by 1,500 feet on its western side and the extended portion was commissioned on September 24. Indian (Airlines) that had a fleet of modified A320 aircraft would be a major beneficiary.

After two days of calibration work, the ILS at the airport was ready for commissioning. A flight inspection unit conducted test sorties on Friday and Saturday. The ILS would help “all-weather and all-time” landing of flights on the eastern side of the runway. “It will enable safer landings even during low level of visibility,” the official said.

Stating that ILS was mandatory for handling international flights, the official said that two important aspects to make the facility an international airport had been taken care of. It is handling 11 aircraft daily – eight services to Chennai, two to Bangalore and one to Mumbai.