The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) at Shamshabad here on Thursday inaugurated its second runway successfully.
GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL), the operator of RGIA, has converted the existing taxiway at the airport into a new parallel runway which is 3,707-metre long and is Code-E aircraft (A340/B747)-compliant.
GHIAL stated in a press release that it has obtained clearances from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in order to make this runway operational, making it the first greenfield airport in the region with two active runways.
With the activation of the second runway, RGIA can now continue flight operations uninterruptedly during its regular main runway maintenance on every Tuesdays between 1.30-3 pm.
According to GHIAL, airport maintenance is a mandatory requirement for airports around the world. With the second runway being operational, continuity of flight operations on Tuesdays will enhance airside efficiency largely, thus making passenger transit through RGIA convenient.
Indigo’s flight from Chennai was the first aircraft to land at 2 pm on this runway on a trial basis. The regular operations will start in two weeks.
