Kolkata Airport: Runways And Their Operations Explained

The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, formerly known as the Dumdum Airport, is the only airport serving the city of Kolkata, India. The airport is one of the busiest in India, handling around 310 flights a day and 20-22 million passengers annually. It has two runways: 01R/19L and 01L/19R. The primary runway, 01R/19L, is used for take-offs and landings, while the secondary runway, 01L/19R, is primarily used as a taxiway.

The airport has two runways: 01R/19L and 01L/19R

The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, formerly known as the Dum Dum Airport, is located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It is one of the oldest airports in India, dating back to 1924. The airport is named after the prominent freedom fighter and leader of the Indian independence movement, Subhash Chandra Bose.

The secondary runway, 01L/19R, is 9,240 feet (2,800 metres) long and is primarily used as a taxiway. It has a capacity of 15 flights per hour and is utilised when the main runway is shut down for maintenance. The secondary runway has also been equipped with an Instrument Landing System (ILS) CAT-I facility.

The presence of two runways provides operational flexibility and serves as a backup in case of maintenance or emergencies. However, due to their proximity, both runways cannot be used simultaneously as it would be challenging to manage aircraft movements safely.

The runways have undergone extensions and upgrades as part of the airport's modernisation and expansion plans to enhance capacity and efficiency. These improvements have contributed to the airport's ability to handle a significant volume of air traffic, making it one of the busiest airports in India.

The primary runway is used for take-offs and landings

The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, formerly known as the Dum Dum Airport, is a crucial aviation hub for eastern and northeastern India. The airport is equipped with two parallel runways, 01R/19L and 01L/19R, which stretch in a north-south direction.

The primary runway, 01R/19L, is the longer of the two at 11,900ft (3,627m) compared to the secondary runway's length of 9,240ft (2,800m). This runway is used for take-offs and landings and has a capacity of approximately 35 flights per hour. The longer runway was chosen for this purpose due to safety reasons, as it allows for a greater margin of error during take-off and landing because of its increased length.

The primary runway's instrument landing system was also upgraded to CAT-IIIb, enabling flights to operate until visibility drops below 50 metres. This advanced system further enhances the functionality of the primary runway, making it the preferred choice for take-offs and landings.

The secondary runway, 01L/19R, is typically used as a taxiway when the main runway is in operation. However, it can be utilised for take-offs and landings when the primary runway is shut down for maintenance or in case of an emergency. The secondary runway has a capacity of 15 flights per hour and was extended during the modernisation and expansion of the airport to enhance its functionality.

The efficient utilisation of these runways ensures the smooth flow of air traffic at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, allowing it to handle a significant volume of flights and passengers each year.

The secondary runway is used as a taxiway

The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, formerly known as the Dum Dum Airport, is a bustling aviation hub that serves the city of Kolkata and the surrounding metropolitan area. The airport has two parallel runways, the primary runway (01R/19L) and the secondary runway (01L/19R). With a length of 11,900ft (3,627m), the primary runway is longer than the secondary runway, which has a length of 9,240ft (2,800m). Due to their close proximity, the runways cannot be used simultaneously, and the secondary runway often serves as a taxiway for aircraft.

The secondary runway plays a crucial role in the airport's operations. When the primary runway is in use for take-offs and landings, the secondary runway functions as a taxiway, facilitating the movement of aircraft to and from the terminals. This dual usage ensures efficient traffic flow and enhances the airport's overall capacity. The secondary runway also serves as a backup option during maintenance or emergencies, providing flexibility and resilience to the airport's operations.

The expansion of the secondary runway has been a key focus area for airport authorities. In the past, the runway was extended by 400 meters on the north side and by 308.4 meters (1,000ft) on the south side, with a new taxiway constructed to improve aircraft movement. These enhancements have increased the efficiency of the airport, allowing for a higher volume of flights and contributing to its status as one of the busiest airports in India.

The secondary runway is also equipped with an instrument landing system (ILS) CAT-I facility, enabling operations during reduced visibility conditions. Upgrades to the runway's lighting and navigation systems have further improved its functionality and safety.

The dual-use nature of the secondary runway as both a taxiway and a backup runway showcases the airport's innovative approach to managing air traffic. By maximising the utilisation of their infrastructure, the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport has been able to accommodate the growing demand for air travel in the region.

The runways cannot be used simultaneously due to their proximity

The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, India, has two runways: 01R/19L and 01L/19R. These runways are parallel to each other and cannot be used simultaneously due to their proximity. While the longer runway, 01R/19L, is used for take-offs and landings, the shorter runway, 01L/19R, serves primarily as a taxiway.

The close proximity of the runways poses several challenges and safety concerns. Firstly, it does not allow for simultaneous operations, which could potentially halve the aircraft movement capacity. An ideal setup would be to have the runways separated by the terminal building, providing efficient utilization of both runways. Additionally, the runways' orientation and the region's wind patterns can create hazardous crosswind conditions. During adverse weather events, such as cyclones, the parallel runways experience dangerous crosswinds, significantly impacting takeoff and landing operations.

The limitations of the runway setup become evident when one runway is closed for maintenance or repair work. In such cases, the remaining runway must handle all aircraft movements, reducing operational flexibility. Furthermore, the presence of a mosque close to the northern end of one of the runways restricts further expansion in that direction, limiting options for future development.

Despite these challenges, the Kolkata Airport has implemented measures to enhance its efficiency. The primary runway can handle approximately 35 flights per hour, while the secondary runway can manage around 15 flights per hour. The airport has also undergone modernization and expansion projects, including extending the secondary runway and upgrading the instrument landing system of the primary runway to CAT-IIIb, enabling operations in low-visibility conditions.

The primary runway has a capacity of 35 flights per hour

The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, formerly known as the Dum Dum Airport, is a bustling aviation hub in eastern India. The airport is equipped with two parallel runways, namely 01R/19L and 01L/19R. The primary runway, 01R/19L, stands out for its impressive capacity, efficiently handling approximately 35 flights every hour.

This high-capacity runway plays a pivotal role in accommodating the substantial air traffic that the airport experiences daily. With a length of 11,900 feet (3,627 metres), it serves as the main artery for take-offs and landings at the airport. Its capacity of 35 flights per hour translates to a remarkable level of operational efficiency, ensuring a smooth and seamless flow of aircraft movements.

The primary runway's capacity is a critical aspect of the airport's overall functionality. It enables the airport to manage a high volume of flights, catering to the diverse travel needs of the region. Kolkata's strategic location and the airport's capacity make it a preferred gateway to eastern India and beyond, facilitating connections to Northeast India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Southeast Asia, and Middle Eastern cities.

The ability to handle 35 flights per hour on the primary runway enhances the airport's operational resilience and flexibility. It allows for a more efficient management of flight schedules, reducing potential delays and improving overall punctuality. This high capacity also provides a safety buffer during peak travel seasons or unexpected disruptions, ensuring that the airport can handle a surge in air traffic without overwhelming its infrastructure.

The efficient utilisation of the primary runway also contributes to the overall passenger experience. With a capacity to process 35 flights per hour, passengers can benefit from reduced waiting times, smoother connections, and a more pleasant travel journey. This efficiency is particularly crucial for an airport that served around 20 to 22 million passengers in the financial years 2023-24 and 2019-20, respectively.

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