The Chandigarh International Airport will remain closed for all air traffic till 31st May, for runway expansion and repair work.
Chandigarh International Airport Ltd (Chial) spokesman said, “No civil and military flights will operate from Chandigarh from May 12 to May 31,” according to media reports.
The 20-day closure will affect 1,00,000 passengers. The number is large because holiday season has started.
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This is not the first time the Chandigarh International Airport is going to close for an elongated period of time. The first phase of runway repair happened from February 12 to 26. This repairing includes improvements and extension of the runway from the existing 9,000 to 10,400 feet.
This closure will help in expansion and would enable operation of wide-bodied aircraft that will help air carriers to connect with destinations in Europe, the US and Australia.
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At the time of closure, the IAF will be relocating all its aircraft to other bases in India.
The Chandigarh Base which was established in 1961 was the major air logistics node of Indian troops deployed in Jammu and Kashmir.
Chandigarh airport also handles nearly 30 commercial flights daily, including those to Bangkok, Sharjah and Dubai.