Due to the scheduled closure of two runways, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued a notification regarding a significant change in the flight operations at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport. The purpose of these closures is to ensure the structural integrity and safe operation of the airport, which is why crack repair work is required.
Cracks are present on the two affected runways, 25-L and 7-R, and they may affect flight operations. In response, the CAA has taken the proactive measure of issuing a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) to formally inform airlines and aviation stakeholders of the planned closures.
According to the planned schedule, these runways will be shut down every day for five months:
Throughout the repair process, flight operations will continue using alternate and secondary runways to reduce disruptions. This strategic plan seeks to strike a balance between ensuring ongoing operations and carrying out required maintenance.
Similar circumstances occurred in February 2019, when Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore temporarily suspended flight operations so that a runway could be urgently repaired. The decision was made as a result of a watchful captain of a Paris-to-Lahore flight who promptly alerted authorities to runway cracks he noticed while landing.
Safety and infrastructure upkeep are of utmost importance in the aviation industry, and the CAA’s measures show a dedication to ensuring a safe and effective aviation environment.
