Major airlines resume bookings for Patna

Even as the cloud of uncertainty hovers over the Patna airport, there is a temporary reprieve for air passengers here.

All the major airlines have resumed their bookings which were earlier suspended following the Airport Authority of India (AAI) directive which restricted the landing of big aircraft here with effect from August 15. The deadline has now been extended to August 31 as the AAI has decided to put on hold its decision to implement the revised runway distance.

The fresh decision follows after the Bihar government informed the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the AAI that most of the hindrances under its jurisdiction, especially hundreds of tall trees at the adjoining zoo, which posed an obstruction in the approach funnel of runway, had been removed.

The AAI, in light of the state government’s request, decided to put on hold its earlier decision which made its runway unfit for operation of big aircraft, and gave Bihar a 16-day breather.

“Bookings in all the airlines have resumed following issuance of notice to airmen (NOTAM) to this effect,” an aviation source told Deccan Herald here on Sunday. Earlier, on August 4, the AAI had reduced the length of the two runways at the Patna airport making it unviable for operations of big aircraft. 

The AAI move followed a recommendation from the DGCA which held back operating licence of Patna airport because of obstructions on aircraft approach funnel.