Runway Infrastructure: Chennai Airport's Multi-Runway System

Chennai International Airport, located in Tirusulam, serves as the gateway to South India. The airport has two runways – the primary runway 07/25, which is 3,658m long, and the secondary runway 12/30, which is 2,045m long. The simultaneous operation of both runways has increased the airport's flight handling capacity to 55 aircraft per hour, with a 10% rise in the number of flights on the secondary runway.

Chennai International Airport has two runways

The Tamil Nadu State Government allocated 130 acres of land for the development of the second runway, which was built over the Adyar River using a bridge. The construction of the secondary runway began in May 2009 and was completed in 2011.

The Bravo Taxiway (B-TWY) functions as the main taxiway, running parallel to the primary runway. The curved Taxiway Bravo was modified to facilitate faster flight operations during the simultaneous use of both runways.

Simultaneous operations of the main and secondary runways help ease air traffic congestion and reduce flight delays. This practice increases the airport's flight handling capacity to 55 aircraft per hour.

The primary runway is 3,661m long

Chennai International Airport has two runways, with the primary runway measuring 3,661m in length. This runway, designated as 07/25, has a Northeast-Southwest orientation. Its impressive length of over 3.6km enables it to accommodate various aircraft, including wide-body planes.

The primary runway plays a crucial role in the airport's operations, as it is predominantly used for arrivals and departures. Its length provides a crucial safety buffer, allowing pilots more room to manoeuvre during take-off and landing. This extra space can be lifesaving, as demonstrated by the Trichy incident, where an Air India plane suffered damage during take-off due to insufficient lift-off time.

The runway is equipped with advanced features to facilitate safe and efficient operations. It is fitted with a CAT-I Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) landing aids. Additionally, an upgraded ILS was installed on the runway in 2017, further enhancing its capabilities.

The primary runway's length and technological enhancements contribute to the airport's overall capacity and efficiency. Chennai International Airport is a significant aviation hub, ranking as the fifth-busiest airport in India by passenger traffic and aircraft movements. The length of the primary runway enables it to handle a substantial volume of air traffic, contributing to the airport's high ranking in terms of passenger handling.

However, it's important to note that the primary runway is not the only factor contributing to the airport's efficiency. Chennai International Airport also utilises simultaneous operations of the main and secondary runways to ease air traffic congestion and reduce flight delays. This practice increases the airport's flight-handling capacity, accommodating a higher number of departing and arriving flights, particularly during peak hours.

The secondary runway is 2,890m long

Chennai International Airport has two runways: a primary runway and a secondary runway. The secondary runway is 2,890m long.

The primary runway, which is predominantly used, is 12,000 ft (3,661m) long. The secondary runway, on the other hand, is shorter and only around 9,000 ft (2,743m) long. The shorter runway has some limitations. For example, if the visibility is poor or the tailwind speed exceeds seven knots per hour, operations cannot be carried out on this runway.

The secondary runway underwent extension work in 2009 to make it longer and suitable for wide-body planes. The extension was built over the Adyar River, making Chennai Airport the first international airport in India to have a runway across a river. The expansion was completed in March 2011, and the runway was extended to 2,160m.

The secondary runway is particularly useful during the early morning congestion, which occurs due to multiple departing flights. It can handle flights departing to destinations such as New Delhi, Mumbai, and Nagpur.

The airport is the fifth busiest in India

Chennai International Airport is the fifth busiest airport in India by passenger traffic and aircraft movements. In the 2023-24 financial year, the airport handled over 21 million passengers and 0.34 million tonnes of cargo. The airport has two runways and offers direct flights to three continents.

Chennai Airport is located around 21 km southwest of the city centre. It serves as the southern regional headquarters of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for South India, comprising the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry.

The airport has three operational passenger terminals. Terminals 1 and 4 cater to domestic traffic, while Terminal 2 handles international operations. Terminal 1 can handle 16 million passengers per year, while Terminal 4 can accommodate 7 million passengers annually.

The airport has a range of facilities, including duty-free shops, restaurants, snack bars, and executive lounges. It also provides special parking spaces for physically challenged passengers and an infant lobby.

Chennai International Airport has been recognised for its achievements, including being awarded the Gold Award by the RoSPA Health and Safety Awards and the Sword of Honour by the British Safety Council. It has also been ranked highly for punctuality, placing eighth among the most punctual airports in the world in 2021.

The airport has been awarded for its safety and security

Chennai International Airport is an important aviation hub in India, serving the city of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu. With a history dating back to 1915, it is one of the country's oldest airports and has undergone significant expansion and modernisation over the years.

The airport's commitment to safety and security has been recognised through various awards and accolades. Notably, in 2020, Chennai International Airport was presented with the Gold Award by the RoSPA Health and Safety Awards. This prestigious award acknowledged the airport's dedication to maintaining proper hygienic conditions and safeguarding individuals from accidents and incidents.

In the same year, the airport also received the Sword of Honour from the British Safety Council. This honour was bestowed upon the airport for its Phase-II modernisation, underscoring the airport's commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its passengers, staff, and operations.

Chennai International Airport has also been recognised for its punctuality, ranking eighth among the world's most punctual airports in 2021. This ranking by Cirium, an aviation data analytics company, highlights the airport's efficiency in managing timely takeoffs and landings.

The airport's safety and security measures are rigorously enforced by various entities. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) is responsible for flight security, while the Airport Sector (CISF) provides additional security measures, including a dog squad for narcotics detection and bomb disposal.

The airport's security infrastructure includes two runways equipped with a CAT-I Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) landing aids. The primary runway, designated 07/25, is 3,661 metres long, while the secondary runway, designated 12/30, is 2,890 metres long.

Chennai International Airport's dedication to safety and security is evident through its investments in infrastructure, adherence to protocols, and recognition by esteemed organisations. These efforts ensure the well-being and confidence of travellers passing through the airport each year.

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