The city airport may soon be able to handle more flights on its secondary runway. Officials plan to build a rapid exit taxiway on the secondary runway as per a TOI report. The decision comes after a Turkish Airlines plane veered off a rapid exit taxiway after landing at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport a fortnight ago, halting flight operations. 

While the plane was stuck for three days, flights had to be accommodated on the secondary runway. However, there were major delays and many diversions as the runway lacks a proper network of taxiways. The air traffic control suggested, at a recent meeting, that a rapid exit taxiway be built for the secondary runway too so that flights can be operated smoothly even if the main runway is closed. 

Airport sources said the Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd (MIAL) plans to construct taxiways to enable aircraft to vacate the runway quickly. The secondary runway will hence remain shut for flight operations from October 10 to January 20, 2012. Though MIAL said flight operations would not be affected, passengers can expect delays as the secondary runway accommodates many departures during morning rush hours. 

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