Airlines

FAA grants $121 million to US airports to prevent close calls

In order to lower the possibility of runway incursions, the Federal Aviation Administration has given airports all around the country grants totaling more than $121 million. In addition to installing new lighting systems and enhancing airfield flexibility, projects will redirect any complex taxiways.

Qantas Launches $10M Regional Grants Program – Applications Open(Opens in a new browser tab)

New projects announced today:

Boston Logan International:$44.9 million will be spent on rehabilitating Taxiways T, N, and M to ensure safe airfield operations and 10,083 feet of the existing Runway 15R/33L to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and to reduce foreign object debris. This will simplify the layout of the airfield by removing portions of Taxiways Q and F, which were identified in the airport’s runway incursion mitigation plan.
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport: $39.8 million will simplify the layout of the airfield by removing a portion of Taxiway Z for geometric improvements, install a new Taxiway E lighting system to improve safety of airfield operations in low visibility conditions, extend Taxiway Z by 400 feet to meet airport operational needs, widen Taxiway Z and E to accommodate a change in the critical design of aircraft using the airport, and extend Taxiway R to do the same.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport: In order to alleviate traffic delays, $5 million will be used to start building new connector taxiways to Runways 1/19 and 15/33, as well as reconfiguring Taxiways J, K, L, N, N1, S, and Hold Bays 15 and 19, in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration design standards.

FAA Awards Nearly $1 Billion To 99 Airports(Opens in a new browser tab)

Willow Run Airport, Detroit, Michigan: $12.8 million to construct a 6,720 foot parallel Taxiway A to eliminate the need for aircraft to back-taxi on the runway.
Eugene F. Kranz Toledo Express Airport, Ohio:For a cost of $4.6 million, Taxiway B11 will be moved 450 feet east from its present airfield location to comply with FAA design requirements, and the airport’s erosion control system for 16,450 square feet of the taxiway safety area will be improved to prevent ponding on the airfield surfaces.
Richmond International Airport, Virginia:To meet Federal Aviation Administration design requirements, Taxiway E will be relocated from its existing airport location to the north for a cost of $5,6 million.
Jackson Hole Airport, Wyoming: Construction of a 1,500-feet Taxiway, which will eliminate the requirement for aircraft to back-taxi on the runway, and the rehabilitation of a 2,400-feet portion of the current Taxiway will cost $2.6 million. a pavement that keeps its structural integrity while reducing foreign object debris.
Naples International Airport, Florida: With the help of $3.5 million, Taxiway A will be rearranged at the point where it intersects Taxiway B to enhance the non-standard pavement geometry. Taxiway A3 will also be moved, and 3,000 feet of the current service road will be rebuilt to provide for the secure movement of vehicles and ground service equipment.

In March, the FAA held a Safety Summit to address recent incidents. The summit brought together leaders from across the aviation sector, including airlines, flight and ground crews, and air traffic control, to find potential causes and needed actions to uphold safety.

The funding announced today comes from several sources, including the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Airlines

Air India Express Aircraft Engine Part Falls Outside Delhi Airport; DGCA Orders Probe

Air India Express flight skids off runway while landing at Kochi airport

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an inquiry following reports that metal fragments were discovered at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport after an Air India Express flight made an emergency landing on Monday evening.

The emergency landing was prompted by a detected engine fault, but fortunately, the landing was executed safely without any injuries to the passengers.

The situation began when crew members of the Air India Express flight reported an engine issue, leading to the emergency landing. The DGCA has confirmed that a thorough investigation is underway and has directed that the aircraft undergo a comprehensive safety inspection.

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The discovery of metal debris outside the airport has raised concerns, prompting the DGCA to probe whether these fragments are linked to the aircraft involved in the emergency landing. Authorities are particularly focused on whether the metal pieces, which were found near the airport, originated from the same Air India Express flight that experienced engine trouble.

While preliminary assessments suggest that the debris could be a broken blade from an aircraft engine, the exact source remains unconfirmed. The airline has yet to verify if the metal fragments are from their aircraft.

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The Delhi Police, working in conjunction with the DGCA, have initiated their own investigation to determine the origin of the metal pieces. A technical team is set to analyze whether the fragments are associated with the aircraft in question. As the investigation continues, a case has been filed with the airport authority to address the matter.