No daytime flights from Cochin for 6 months from Nov 2008

Kochi, Mar 17 (UNI) The Nedumbaserry International Airport, near here, will be closed for day-time operations between November, 2008, and May, 2009, due to recarpeting of the runway, Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) Managing Director S Bharath said today.

In a statement here, he said the bituminous runway needed to be recarpeted after seven to eight years of operation to maintain the surface and ensure longer life.

The runway at Cochin Airport will be completing nine years of operation in June, 2008, and its entire length now needed to be recarpeted.

Mr Bharath said CIAL has given advance intimation to all operating airlines and other agencies and requested them to reschedule their flights.

The CIAL MD was confident that the recarpeting work, which will see the airport closed for operations between 1000 hrs and 2000 hrs everyday, will not lead to any reduction in flight or passenger movement.

Responding to criticism from some quarters about the recarpeting being taken up at the height of the tourism season, Mr Bharath said this was unavoidable as the work could be done only after the rainy season.

Both domestic and international flights will continue to operate at Cochin airport, but with a different schedule, he added.

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