The Hindu
Mangalore, Jan 1: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is likely to complete the new taxi-way at Bajpe Airport in Mangalore which will connect the concrete runway with the bituminous runway by the end of January.
The taxi-way will reduce the runway occupancy time for aircraft landing on the main concrete (new) runway and heading to the apron (hangar) at the terminal.
Cost estimation
Work on the taxi-way, which was started in April 2007, is likely to be completed by January 20.
It is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 3.42 crore, M R Vasudeva, director of the airport, told The Hindu.
The new 2,450-metre concrete runway has been laid in the south-west part of the existing terminal building. The old 1,650-metre bituminized runway lies to the south of the terminal building.
Convenience
The 483-metre bituminous taxi-way connects them at the 600-metre point at the concrete (new) runway from the south-eastern side to the centre of the bituminous (old) runway.
When it becomes operational, the aircraft that land on the new runway would not be required to go up to the point where the old runway joins the former for taxiing (parking) at the apron of the terminal building.
Instead, by using the taxi-way, the aircraft can terminate at the 600-metre point on the new runway and directly enter the parking area, Mr. Vasudeva said.
Utility
An aircraft, after landing on the new runway, can vacate it early by using the taxi-way and turn to the parking area. Consequently, the waiting time for other aircraft will be reduced. It can land sooner. If there is no aircraft for landing, the plane waiting to take off at the apron can soon vacate the apron and turn to the new runway to take off.
Saves time
According to Mr. Vasudeva, by using the taxi-way, the pilots will be able to save at least six minutes between landing and parking.
"Airline operators will be able to save fuel and time. Time for manoeuvring aircraft can also be saved," Mr. Vasudeva said. The AAI is also likely to complete the construction of new terminal building in 2008. The terminal building is likely to be commissioned in January 2009.