Click to play videoMumbai: The main Mumbai airport runway will go under repair soon. The renovated airport will ensure timely arrival and departure mandatory for all airlines.
Once the repair works start, it would result in reduced work capacity through peak holiday season this winter. Hence, before passengers enjoy a better, upgraded airport, they'll have to live with fewer flights and higher fares.
Airlines and air traffic controllers are gearing up for increased traffic at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport, one of the most congested in the country, as winter draws near and brings along with it the rush of travellers.
Come November, and it's going to get much worse essentially because the main runway that sees around 32 flights per hour is going to be shut down for around six months for repair.
The main runway at the airport is scheduled to be shut between 9am and 5 pm everyday from November for recarpeting work. Airlines will have to use the optional cross runway, which is shorter than the main runway, putting restrictions on operations.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected impose 'load penalty' on airlines. Also shorter cross-runway will be used during these hours, forcing airlines to carry lesser number of passengers.
There will also be restrictions on heavy aircraft like the Boeing-747 and Airbus-A-340 taking off or landing at Mumbai. Heavy aircraft could also face load restrictions.
The DGCA has already made timely departures mandatory at Mumbai and Delhi aiports. Passengers are expected to check in 45 minutes before departure. Now, it also plans to make arrival on time mandatory. Airlines that arrive more than 5 minutes late at Mumbai and Delhi airports could run the risk of being diverted to other nearby city airports, say DGCA sources.
However, that's not all. Thanks to repair works, the carrying capacity of airlines will see a drop, which will further be reflected in increased fare during the peak holiday season.
The congested Mumbai airport sees around 650 flights every day. Now with the main runway scheduled to be closed for repair work, and with new restrictions imposed on timely arrivals and departures, both airline operators and passengers express concern that this winter may not be a merry holiday season.
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