Chandigarh Airport Not Getting Night Landing Permission

June 22, 2011, CHANDIGARH: After a decision by Indian Air Force (IAF) authorities that does not allow night landing or extended watch hours at Chandigarh airport, Airport Authority of India (AAI) has gone to the central ministry level, hoping that intervention on their part will resolve the issue.

IAF’s failure to grant permission for night landing is holding back the airport’s plans for operation of international flights. IAF oversees the airstrip and air traffic control for the airport, which borders an airfield. IAF cites security issues as the reason it will not approve night landings This has already caused problems when, in July 2009 the airport’s international flight from Chandigarh to Dubai was cancelled because it could not perform night landings.

The current night watch only allows civilian aircraft to land at the local airport until 8pm.

Captain HS Toor, airport director, said that the restriction has been causing problems for the airport for some time.

Toor said that he has spoken with higher authorities in the AAI who will soon take the issue to the Ministry of Defence. He remained hopeful, saying that he expected the airport to obtain clearance for night landings soon, at which point international flights could begin.