Runway safety area at Bajpe airport not risky: AAI
By IANSSaturday, May 22, 2010
NEW DELHI - The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has dismissed suggestions that the “table top” airstrip at Bajpe airport where an Air India Express plane crashed Saturday was risky, saying it met aviation norms.
“Their was enough landing area and over 90 meters of runway end safety (RES) area,” an AAI official said.
The RES area is a smooth earthen surface at the end of the runway. It is specifically prepared for reducing damage to a airplane in the event of an overshoot, or excursion from the runway.
The AAI official said Bajpe airport meets the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
The ICAO says a minimum of 90 meters (300 feet) starting from the end of the runway strip must be available to avert any mishap.
About 10-12 flights operate daily at Bajpe airport, the official said.
