Based on the Aerodrome Reference Field Length (ARFL), the report of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) came to the conclusion that only Boeing 777-200 aircraft appeared compatible for Calicut airport.
ARFL refers to the minimum field length required for an aircraft to take off at sea level in still air and runway slope. For Boeing 777-200, the ARFL is 2,390 metres while for Airbus 330-300, it is 2,770.
Airport Director J.T. Radhakrishna said that AAI officials would now have to examine which all airline companies operated Boeing 777-200, and their interest in resuming services from the airport. “Both Saudi Airlines and Emirates had earlier operated flights from the airport,” he said.
Already, the DGCA and AAI have given directions to identify the hazards before allowing the operation of the specific type of Code E aircraft. “Saudia is likely to operate B 777-200, but we are unsure about Emirates,” Mr. Radhakrishna said.
Emirates’ fleet mostly consists of Boeing 777-300 ER and Airbus A380- 800. It also operates B777-200 LR.
As of now, the airport has 13 stands on the apron for aircraft parking, unloading, refuelling and boarding. The weekly aircraft movement per week is 467 including 371 international flights. The passenger movement projected for 2017-18 is 30 lakh.
A joint team had considered giving nod for the operation of Airbus 330-300 for which the ARFL is closer to the available runway. But it was rejected since the application of Aerodrome Reference Temperature (31degree Celsius), aerodrome elevation and runway slope corrections, and the requirement for runway length for the take off of this aircraft would increase.
Aircraft should operate based on the Regulated Take Off Weight and Maximum Take off Weight based on the specifications of the aircraft manufacturer, AAI sources said.