We want safer runways, say India's airlines
11 Aug 2007
Airlines in India have admitted that they do find it difficult to land on runways at most Indian airports, and are increasingly articulating the need for better runways to ensure safety.
One of the recommendations is clearing the runway of rubber deposits for better friction, indicating that even this is not a routine procedure at airports.
The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), the apex body of India's airline industry, submitted a memorandum of suggestions made by airlines for safe runway operations to the civil aviation ministry last week.
The July Brazilian passenger plane crash in Sao Paulo under the wet runway conditions seems to be the catalyst for the move, because experts say its circumstances closely resemble conditions on Indian runways during the monsoon.
