<p>Shortly after the decision of Airports Authority of India (AAI) to re-notify the runway length at Jaya Prakash Narayan International Airport in Patna, Air India has announced “temporary withdrawal” of its Delhi-Patna-Delhi evening flight till August 31.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The decision assumes significance as the AAI had reduced the length of the two runways at Patna airport, making it unviable for the operation of big aircraft. The AAI move follows a recommendation from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which held back operating licence of Patna airport because of obstructions on aircraft approach funnel.<br /><br />Effective from August 16, the revised length of runway (from Phulwarisharif end) will be 1141 metres instead of the earlier 1677 metres. Similarly, the runway from Patna zoo end will now be 1289 metres instead of earlier 1820 metres.<br /><br />Aviation sources said that minimum runway length required for Airbus-320 and Boeing 737 aircraft to land is 1540 m and 1790 metres respectively.<br /><br />The AAI found that Patna airport, which already had a short runway length, had 101 obstructions on either side of the tarmac which were dangerous for aircraft landing.<br /><br />The obstructions included 3,700 huge trees around the Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, high-rise residential buildings, railway cabin, overhead traction lines, mobile towers, a temple, a tall light mast on a burial ground, advertisement hoardings, streetlights and electrical poles. Besides, the AAI had identified the Secretariat clock tower – the trademark of Patna – as another obstacle which is 135 metres high against a permissible limit of 40 metres.<br /><br />The AAI, maintained that the airport was unfit for operation of bigger aircraft like Airbus 320 and Boeing 737, set June 30 as the deadline for the Bihar government to remove obstacles or face closure of the airport. After the expiry of the deadline, Patna airport is operating without a valid licence from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The DGCA, while granting licence to 45 domestic and international airports in India, has withheld licence to Patna airport as it does not fulfil the requisite safety parameters.<br /><br />The only way out<br /><br />Now, the only option is to re-notify the revised runway length prescribed by AAI or for airlines to fly Airbus and Boeing aircraft to the nearest airport in Gaya or Ranchi and transfer Patna-bound passengers by smaller aircraft, which, at present, appears non-feasible.<br /><br />Ravikant, Principal Secretary, Cabinet Coordination, who also holds charge of State’s Civil Aviation Department said the government will extend full cooperation to the airport.<br /></p>
<p>Shortly after the decision of Airports Authority of India (AAI) to re-notify the runway length at Jaya Prakash Narayan International Airport in Patna, Air India has announced “temporary withdrawal” of its Delhi-Patna-Delhi evening flight till August 31.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The decision assumes significance as the AAI had reduced the length of the two runways at Patna airport, making it unviable for the operation of big aircraft. The AAI move follows a recommendation from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which held back operating licence of Patna airport because of obstructions on aircraft approach funnel.<br /><br />Effective from August 16, the revised length of runway (from Phulwarisharif end) will be 1141 metres instead of the earlier 1677 metres. Similarly, the runway from Patna zoo end will now be 1289 metres instead of earlier 1820 metres.<br /><br />Aviation sources said that minimum runway length required for Airbus-320 and Boeing 737 aircraft to land is 1540 m and 1790 metres respectively.<br /><br />The AAI found that Patna airport, which already had a short runway length, had 101 obstructions on either side of the tarmac which were dangerous for aircraft landing.<br /><br />The obstructions included 3,700 huge trees around the Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, high-rise residential buildings, railway cabin, overhead traction lines, mobile towers, a temple, a tall light mast on a burial ground, advertisement hoardings, streetlights and electrical poles. Besides, the AAI had identified the Secretariat clock tower – the trademark of Patna – as another obstacle which is 135 metres high against a permissible limit of 40 metres.<br /><br />The AAI, maintained that the airport was unfit for operation of bigger aircraft like Airbus 320 and Boeing 737, set June 30 as the deadline for the Bihar government to remove obstacles or face closure of the airport. After the expiry of the deadline, Patna airport is operating without a valid licence from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The DGCA, while granting licence to 45 domestic and international airports in India, has withheld licence to Patna airport as it does not fulfil the requisite safety parameters.<br /><br />The only way out<br /><br />Now, the only option is to re-notify the revised runway length prescribed by AAI or for airlines to fly Airbus and Boeing aircraft to the nearest airport in Gaya or Ranchi and transfer Patna-bound passengers by smaller aircraft, which, at present, appears non-feasible.<br /><br />Ravikant, Principal Secretary, Cabinet Coordination, who also holds charge of State’s Civil Aviation Department said the government will extend full cooperation to the airport.<br /></p>
