Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) has wrapped up the recarpeting project for its 2.4km-long runway 06-24 well ahead of schedule. The airport, which initiated the carpeting work on January 27, completed it on May 28, significantly surpassing the estimated timeframe. Consequently, starting from June 1, flight timings will revert to their previous schedule, and the airport will resume its 24x7 operations.

According to an MIA spokesperson, the recarpeting work was undertaken to ensure compliance with the safety regulations set by aviation authorities. The project, which spanned 75 working days beginning on March 10, involved the application of a flexible overlay of asphalt on the rigid runway. This pioneering approach, the first of its kind in India, aims to enhance the durability and safety of the runway, as highlighted in an MIA release.

Mangaluru International Airport ranks as the second busiest airport in Karnataka, accommodating approximately 36 aircraft movements daily. To carry out the recarpeting work without disrupting the operations of scheduled flights, the airport utilized a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) period of 8.5 hours, from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, each day. During the remaining 14.5 hours, the runway remained open, facilitating an average of 18 domestic and international flights per day.