IAF takes decision in view of festival season

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has allowed a seven-hour window for flight operations during the ongoing repair and maintenance work on the runway of the Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport from October 26 to November 6 to facilitate the movement of passengers during the festival season.

The runway will be available for civilian flight operations from 5 am to 12 noon daily during that period. During the second phase of maintenance work, an 18-hour window — from 5 am to 11 pm— has been planned from November 7 to 18.

The IAF had earlier announced the complete closure of the runway for civilian flight operations during the two-week period for maintenance and repair of the single-strip runway. However, the maintenance project has now been divided into phases to avoid inconvenience to the passengers in the peak festival season.

The IAF authorities have issued a revised notice to airmen (NOTAM) for the closure period from October 26 to November 6, from 12 noon to 5 am (next day).

From November 7 to 18, the airport will remain closed from 11 pm to 5 am (next day) during low traffic hours. During this phase, the airport will be available for flight operations for 18 hours a day.

Meanwhile, the Chandigarh International Airport Authority (CHIAL) officials, UT and Mohali administrations, and other stakeholders held a review meeting today to discuss the action taken report (ATR) regarding the unusual bird activity in the vicinity of the airport threatening flight safety.

Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari and Anandpur Sahib MP Malvinder Singh Kang had addressed the issue of the serious flight safety hazard due to increased bird activity during the Airport Advisory Committee meeting held on October 12. Tewari, chairman of the 13-member committee, said, “It is a serious issue and steps are being taken by taking along administrative officials of the Tricity. All actions taken after October 12 meeting will be reviewed again on November 1. Effective waste management and remedial actions are being done on a priority.”

The announcement comes as a major relief to passengers who are travelling to celebrate festivals with family members and attend marriages of their near and dear ones.

Officials said polymer modified emulsion work was being carried out on the runway.

More than 50 flights operate from the airport daily. It operates direct service to 21 destinations — 19 domestic locations and two international destinations