Capping off its continuous efforts to augment airside capacity, the straightened ‘Bravo’ taxiway (B-TWY,) at Chennai Airport will be commissioned and put to use from 14.07. 2022.The operationalization of straightened B -TWY will ensure safe and expeditious movement of aircraft resulting in significant increase of the existing Primary Runway (07/25) handling capacity.

Straightening work:

The Bravo Taxiway is the primary taxiway, that runs parallel to the Primary Runway of Chennai Airport, which caters to 90% of the Domestic, International and Cargo movements. Earlier, the B- taxiway had a curve at the Guindy end (Runway 25) which resulted in certain restrictions leading to aircraft holding thereby consuming more time and fuel for departing flights taxing from terminal to primary runway for take-off. The straightened portion of B- TWY will ease the situation and will ensure faster movement of flights by avoiding delays while taxing, precisely during peak hour traffic.

The long pending issue of Minimum Separation Distances i.e., the Alpha Taxiway (A-TWY) located at 123M from the centerline of Primary Runway 07/25 instead of 172.5M is also complied with operationalization of straightened portion of B TWY. Also, the restrictions in place for using A-TWY when RWY 25 in use is laid to rest.

With the commissioning of B-Taxiway and the ongoing Rapid Exit Taxiway 1&2 works progressing briskly towards completion, the peak hour handling capacity of Chennai Airport is expected to increase to 45-50 movements /hr from the existing 36 movements/hr.

The straightening work commenced in 2018 received DGCA approval in April 2022, is set for commissioning after notifying through Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) and completing all other codal procedures.

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(Release ID: 1841300)