Chennai Airport is gearing up to bolster safety measures with a runway extension project, championed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The endeavour will primarily focus on enhancing the runway-end safety areas for both its primary and secondary runways.
The paramount objective behind extending these safety areas is to fortify precautions against aircraft accidents. These critical safety zones will be constructed using specially designed soft materials capable of safely stopping an aircraft by burying its wheels. Traditionally, about 60 meters of space is allocated at either end of runways for implementation of these safety measures.
The decision to embark on this extensive project was prompted by the allocation of additional land from the state government and the defense sector. This strategic acquisition of land positions the airport to maximise the utility of its runways without any constraints.
While the primary runway already boasts adequate safety buffer areas at both ends, constraints had previously emerged due to a lack of available land and the presence of nearby residential and commercial infrastructure. Notably, the GST-road end of the secondary runway posed unique challenges due to the presence of an underground Metro rail line, while one end of the main runway was encircled by buildings.
Airport officials are quick to underline the importance of even a marginal extension, as it adds an extra layer of safety to daily operations. Moreover, this development aligns perfectly with the airport’s resurgence in flight movements. In an environment where safety remains paramount, Chennai Airport’s proactive approach in expanding runway safety areas is a commendable step forward.
