All major Airlines have resume their Large Aircraft operation at Patna International Airport  beyond August 16 after AAI has extended the deadline for cutting pf trees near the Air port to August 31.  Airbus 320 and Boeing 737  will now land here till August 31 providing a relief to passengers.
The the Airports Authority of India (AAI) earlier imposed a ban on these planes’ flights from the airport from Aug 16.
“The Patna airport authorities have circulated a new NOTAM to the airlines operating from the Patna airport on Saturday. The fresh NOTAM issued by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) under the guidance of Directorate General of Civil Aviation mentioned that the new notification would be implemented from August 31,” said Arvind Dubey, director, Patna airport.
The runway had become unsafe for the operation of large aircraft after the AAI re-notified its length due to the presence of trees near it, official said.
The fresh decision follows after the Bihar government informed the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the AAI that most of the hindrances under its jurisdiction, especially hundreds of tall trees at the adjoining zoo, which posed an obstruction in the approach funnel of runway, had been removed.
Private airlines Indigo, GoAir and Jet, which had suspended their ticket bookings for Patna in view of the earlier deadline, resumed the process after the large planes were allowed to use the airport till Aug 31, authorities at the airport said.
All the major airlines have resumed their bookings which were earlier suspended following the Airport Authority of India (AAI) directive which restricted the landing of big aircraft here with effect from August 15. The deadline has now been extended to August 31 as the AAI has decided to put on hold its decision to implement the revised runway distance.
“Bookings in all the airlines have resumed following issuance of notice to airmen (NOTAM) to this effect,†an aviation source told Deccan Herald here on Sunday. Earlier, on August 4, the AAI had reduced the length of the two runways at the Patna airport making it unviable for operations of big aircraft.
The AAI move followed a recommendation from the DGCA which held back operating licence of Patna airport because of obstructions on aircraft approach funnel.