Thaindian News

Patna, Aug 12 (IANS) Large aircraft such as Airbus 320 and Boeing 737 have been allowed to operate from Patna airport till Aug 31, officials said Sunday.

The the Airports Authority of India (AAI) earlier imposed a ban on these planes’ flights from the airport from Aug 16.

“The threat is temporarily over,” said an official of the state government dealing with civil aviation.

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.

According to Patna airport director Arvind Dubey, the AAI had given the much-needed relief to Bihar by extending its deadline to implement the revised runway distances at the Patna airport.

“A notice to the official concerned was issued in this connection late Saturday,” he said.

The AAI decision came after the state government assured the union civil aviation ministry to implement its order for safety of the airport, another official said.

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.

The AAI, on the recommendation of Director General of Civil Aviation, had re-notified the airport’s runway length after the Bihar government refused to cut or prune trees near it, officials said.

A Patna airport official admitted that pruning and cutting of trees was vital for the safe landing and takeoff of aircraft.

According to the forest department, some 3,700 trees may have to be cut. These include semal, bamboo, amaltas, banyan, kusum and arjun trees.