Runway lights damaged at IGI airport; operations hit

Flight operations at the IGI airport were affected this evening after some of the runway edge lights were damaged by an aircraft forcing its closure.

Flight operations at the IGI airport were affected this evening after some of the runway edge lights were damaged by an aircraft forcing its closure.

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The main runway (10/28) was not in operation between 6.30 and 7.45 pm after some of runway edge lights were found damaged and some rubber pieces of tyres were also found scattered between taxiways B and D, airport officials said.

During this period, the new runway (11/29) was in operation and the second runway (09/27) was closed for scheduled maintenance. Consequently, some of the flights were delayed as only one runway was available for arrival and departure of flights, they said.

The runway lights were damaged by an Air India plane (flight IC 415) which took off for Patna at 6.22 pm. The pilot of the aircraft also reported damage in the plane's tyre.

The officials said the normalcy in operation has been restored and the re-installation work of damaged lights will be undertaken tonight.

The matter has been reported to DGCA and is under investigation, they said.