Lko airport runway to undergo repair

LUCKNOW: The Lucknow airport would soon see some flight disruptions because of the airport runway going into repair from next month. The 2,748 feet runway would be seeing repair works during the night hours and all the night flights would be rescheduled for next one year.

The airlines will have to make some changes to their schedules of flights to handle the impact of repair work. This is a periodic exercise which every airport has to undertake regularly for safe flight operations. The airstrip of Lucknow airport was last repaired in the year 2004. Since then the airstrip has seen a lot of wear and tear and needs urgent repair work. Besides, the load on airstrip is increasing with each passing day. Around 10 years ago, Lucknow airport did not have much air traffic as it had around 20 to 30 flights per day but now the number of flights landing and taking off has crossed 100.

According to director of airport, PK Srivastava, “Lucknow airport has 90 scheduled and 45 non scheduled flights operating daily. Some of the flights of air force, army, state government and private carriers also land here. But now, all these flights would have to be rescheduled.”

“The repairs largely comprise relaying of the surface that crumbled due to wear and tear. A fund of ₹35 crore has been allotted by the airport authority for the task,” he added. Besides the repair of airstrip, CAT-III lighting system would also be installed. AAI has already intimated airline operators about expected runway obstructions due to airstrip repair. Lucknow is a key airport because of its proximity with Delhi. Any flight diverted from Delhi airport prefers Lucknow airport for landing.