Ahmedabad airport to remain shut for 9 hours daily till May 31st

A part of Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport will remain shut for 9 hours every day until May 31st starting today, as per airport authorities, as a runway re-carpeting is scheduled to be carried out.
The resurfacing work will happen every day from 9 am to 6 pm, barring Sundays and public holidays, leading to at least 52 flights arriving and departing from the airport to be rescheduled during the entire duration.
"Runway maintenance is to ensure aircraft safety and increase runway life. Runway maintenance closures are mandatory procedures in line with international safety standards. Therefore, all the relevant stakeholders under the guidance of the safety regulator are consulted and given abundant notice to revise schedules in order to ensure minimal passengers' inconvenience. We are committed for best services to the passengers with safety", they tweeted.

Airport officials said they have taken steps to ensure that minimal revision of flights takes place during this time so passengers do not face inconvenience. Passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines regarding their flight schedules.

The re-carpeting was originally planned for November last year but got delayed due to the festive season.

“The work will include runway overlaying, runway strip grading and slope assessment, runway end safety area (RESA) grading and slope assessment, along with storm water drain construction and reinstallation of signages in the maneuvering area," read a statement issued by an airport spokesperson.

Gujarat registered 10,150 fresh coronavirus positive cases on Sunday, raising the state's tally to 9,26,240, the health department stated.

There were eight Covid-19 fatalities, one of the highest tolls in a single day in recent months.

This took the death toll to 10,159 in Gujarat including two each in Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Bhavnagar and one death each was reported from Vadodara and Tapi districts, the state bulletin read.

(With inputs from agencies)