Rapid exit taxiway opened at IGI airport

New Delhi, July 28: Air travellers at Delhi's IGI airport can look forward for some relief in coming days.

A rapid exit taxiway and a new parallel taxiway have been opened for aircraft operations.

Although simultaneous use of runways was started in April, a network of incomplete exitways and taxiways meant that a changed wind direction -- which made planes land from Dwarka side and not Jumbo Point -- would see only one runway being used at a time. After a delay of some months, this network of taxiways is now expected to be ready in a fortnight.

Delhi International Airport Private Limited (DIAL), a joint venture led by the GMR group, said it has opened a rapid exit taxiway (called D1) and part of a new parallel taxiway (called E2).

''These two links are part of the network required to make simultaneous use of runways possible at all times,'' said a senior airport official.

''The entire network of taxiways should be ready in a fortnight and then we can expect relief from air traffic congestion.''

DIAL said this is part of the ongoing upgradation works of runway to minimise runway occupancy time and improve traffic circulation. ''This will help smaller aircraft that do not require to run through the whole runway before take-offs and landings. Hovering time for aircrafts will reduce by five minutes and handling capacity of the aircraft operations, especially in the domestic sector during peak hours will improve,'' said a statement issued by DIAL.

Apart from causing tremendous discomfort to passengers, air traffic congestion forces airlines to burn expensive aero-turbine fuel at a huge cost.

The new development measures come close on the heels of recent opening up of the second runway. The second runway is opened for three hours each in the morning and afternoon.

In view of the high security threat perception at the airport and recommendations by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), orders have been placed for seven x-ray machines as well.

While three x-ray machines have been installed, officials said, four will be in place by mid-August.

UNI