The construction of a parallel taxiway at Mangalore airport has got the approval of the board of Airports Authority of India (AAI).
Mr M.R. Vasudeva, Airport Director, AAI, Mangalore, told Business Line that the 146th board meeting of AAI, chaired by its Chairman, Mr V.P. Agarwal, has approved the construction of a parallel taxiway at Mangalore airport.
The new taxiway, which is proposed to be built at a cost of Rs 45.36 crore, will connect the apron at the new integrated terminal building with the runway. The existing taxiway at the airport, which connects the apron to runway, is around 250 metres.
Asked about the advantages of having a parallel taxiway, he said that it will help reduce runway occupancy time and provide more safety. Operations will be smoothened and departure and arrival of aircraft will be more efficient, he said. Process for awarding tenders for the construction of the new parallel taxiway is likely to begin soon. According to the current plans, the project should be completed by June 2013. It may be mentioned here that Mangalore airport has two runways. The 1,625-metre-long old runway can handle Boeing 737 aircraft. However, the 2,450-metre-long second runway, which was commissioned in May 2006, is the functional runway in Mangalore. It is suitable for handling Airbus 310 type of aircraft. (A taxiway is a path in an airport, which connects runway with facilities such as apron, providing the ability to move the aircraft without interfering in the takeoffs and landings at the airport.
Apron is the area intended to accommodate the loading and unloading of passengers and cargo, refuelling, servicing, maintenance and parking of aircraft, and any movement of aircraft, vehicles and people necessary for such purposes.)