The much-awaited opening of the secondary runway at the city airport could materialise this month if the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) gives clearance for the extended portion, the bridge over Adyar River and allied work done on the tarmac.
“We expect the secondary runway to be opened by the end of the month,” said a senior Airports Authority of India (AAI) official.
About 2,535 m would be available for operations on the secondary runway.
Airport director H.S. Suresh said the documents are ready with officials at AAI headquarters and soon it would be sent to DGCA for clearance.
“We have sought clearance from DGCA to operate the secondary runway with 780 metres displacement. We hope to commission the remaining length up to the bridge soon,” he said.
The extension of the secondary runway, including the bridge, was completed in March 2011, but the commissioning was delayed because of the need to instal a category-1 approach lighting system.
The state government is yet to hand over 15.66 acres of land requested by the AAI for installing approach lights, and airport officials are now looking to commission part of the runway.