Safety concerns in the air

A series of mishaps since 2006 has worried the Cochin Airport Ltd (CIAL), the first international airport in India constructed in the public-private partnership (PPP) model, though its authorities maintain that they are continuously improving safety measures.

The latest mishap involving the Gulf Air flight from Bahrain in the wee hours of Monday is the fourth such incident in which planes have veered off the runway while landing.

The first was on May 30, 2006, involving Go Air. Then on July 3, 2007, about 60 passengers and the crew of an Air.

Sahara Delhi-Bangalore-Kochi flight had a miraculous escape after it skidded off the runway.

On July 6, 2007, Air India Express Flt IX-454, a B737-800 (VT-AXC) with 61 passengers on board had an accident while landing in heavy rain. The aircraft at touchdown veered off the runway. However, it re-entered the runway, after travelling 1,000 ft through the grass.

The CIAL authorities, however, say that there is nothing wrong with the runway, which was repaved recently. “This year itself there were 1,000-odd landings on the runway which shows that there is nothing wrong with the runway,” said the CIAL MD, Mr V.J. Kurien.

At 11,000 ft, CIAL has one of the longest runways in the country and is equipped with Category 1 (CAT 1) Instrument landing system. It enables precision instrument approach and landing with a decision height not lower than 200 feet (61 m) above touchdown zone elevation and with either a visibility not less than 800 meters (2,600 ft) or a runway visual range not less than 550 meters (1800 ft).

Mr Kurien said more advanced ILS is not required such as the CAT-1 facility in Delhi. “It is used for safe landing during reduced visibility due to fog or blowing snow,” he said.

“We don’t require the advanced system. The current navigational aids permit all weather landing.” However, most of the mishaps in recent years happened during rain or when the runway was wet, pointing to the need for more advanced landing systems. The pilots, involved in two of the mishaps, had reported “complete blank” while landing.

The airport, boasts rescue and fire fighting safety systems meeting CAT9 standards. But the process of setting up the radar has remained a non-starter for over one year.

“There are no issues with Airport Authority of India over the installation of radar,” said Mr Kurien. “We are taking all steps to operate it in another six months.”

Courtesy : Deccan Chronicle