The Airports Authority of India has given its sanction to extend a parallel taxiway costing around Rs 106 crore at the international airport here with an aim to reduce waiting time of aircraft before take-off and landing.
The construction of the first phase of the additional taxiway at a cost of Rs 40 crore had begun two years ago at the Mangalore International Airport.
The taxiway which is 1,200 metres long and 23 metres wide, is under construction and will be completed in about two months, Airport Director J T Radhakrishna said in a statement.
In the second phase, an additional taxiway has been proposed for which a 35-metre-deep gorge needs to be filled.
The work on the second phase is likely to begin in January next year which can be completed by the end of 2017.
With the additional taxiway, the aircraft would be able to save on waiting time before departure and landing.
At present, each aircraft is required to wait for 10 to 15 minutes. Presently, the airport handles 48 flights -- 24 incoming and 24 outgoing -- per day, Radhakrishna added.
