Runway expansion: AAI chief to meet CS
LUCKNOW : The proposed visit of Airport Authority of India (AAI) chairman Guruprasad Mahapatra to Lucknow on November 2 is of crucial importance for the future of Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport, for according to AAI officials, he is coming here to discuss expansion of airport runway with UP chief secretary of state Rajeev Kumar. In the meeting, AAI officials are likely to pursue their demand for land situated towards Shaheed Path.
AAI’s proposal to expand the runway is pending with the state government for over 10 years and there has been no progress due to bureaucratic hurdles . The land survey has also been completed. The officials are optimistic this time that the land would be given to the airport authority for expansion as there is BJP government
We have already submitted the expansion plan to the state government , demanding 67 acres of land around the runway so that no housing mushrooms near it. AK SHARMA, airport director
in the centre as well as in state. So there would be better coordination between them.
Now, the AAI wants the state government to help remove hurdles in the way of runway expansion. The previous Samajwadi Party government had assured the AAI of all possible help in acquiring land for expansion of runway.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior AAI official said, “Have you ever thought why Lucknow airport does not have direct connectivity with Europe, Latin America and Australia despite being an international airport ? Just because of non availability of 700 metres of land for expansion of airport runway for landing of bigger aircrafts like Boeing 757, 747, Concords.”
Despite having good traffic for the above mentioned countries, Lucknow airport can only host flights for Singapore, Thailand and Dubai, as bigger aircraft like Boeing 747-757 are unable to land on its small runway.
The runway is just enough to handle operations of mid-size aircraft. At present, only 300seat planes with smaller fuel tanks are able to operate from the airport that already has ‘international status’.
According to airport director AK Sharma, a runway of at least 3,500 metres is required for operations of bigger planes but the present runway is only 2,800 metres long, which only allows operation of mid-size aircraft.
The AAI requires only 700 metres of additional land for making Lucknow airport one of the leading airports of the country. Sharma said, “We have already submitted the expansion plan to the state government , demanding 67 acres of land around the runway so that no housing mushrooms near it.”
Currently, over 140 flights operate from Lucknow airport every day, but the number could reach 600 to 700 per day with the extension of runway, say AAI officials.
“We hope that Lucknowites can get direct flights to US, Britain and other European countries soon,” said an official.
AAI officials said it was important to expand the runway to 3,500 metres. This would not only help increase business of the airport but also connect Lucknow with other countries of the world.