Airport licence lapse delays flights at Lengpui

3 hours ago 4
ARTICLE AD BOX

Airport licence lapse delays flights at Lengpui

Aizawl: Lengpui airport faced significant operational disruptions on Tuesday as all flights were delayed due to an expired aerodrome licence. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) failed to renew the licence on time, leaving passengers stranded for hours.An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Aizawl was notably delayed, departing nearly four hours late after intense negotiations led to a last-minute, one-month licence renewal.The state’s civil aviation wing had initially applied for renewal on Sept 16, but technical issues with the DGCA portal caused delays. A subsequent application on Sept 26 was not processed before the Oct 13 deadline. The DGCA has been hesitant to issue a long-term licence due to the airport’s low Pavement Classification Number (PCN) and deteriorating runway conditions.The airport’s challenges were further highlighted when an IndiGo aircraft reportedly scraped the runway edge earlier this month, causing damage. Former principal consultant commander Joe Lalhmingliana noted that the low PCN value restricts operations of larger aircraft, and plans for a parallel runway have stalled amid upcoming state elections.Adding to the controversy, the Lengpui Airport Forum has accused the Zoram People’s Movement govt of attempting to transfer control of the airport to the Indian Air Force, contrary to Union home minister Amit Shah’s suggestion to hand it over to the Airports Authority of India.

Read Entire Article