Published in: Gazeta do Povo
João Márcio Jordão*
The works that begin this week will extend the use of the runway providing extra life and ensuring the highest levels of security for airport operations
This month, Infraero started the constructions on the runways of São José dos Pinhais and Londrina airports. Aiming the safety and efficiency of airport infrastructure services, Infraero is upholding the necessary improvements.
At the airport Governor José Richa, in Londrina, we will be repairing the asphalt on the runway and installing grooving to improve griping and water runoff from the runway. At the International Airport Afonso Pena, in São José dos Pinhais – next to the capital of Parana – will be made the same adjustments, but we will also work on the deployment of a new system for beacon as required for setting up the ILS CAT III, as expected and demanded by the community due to weather conditions in the city.
The new device will reduce the operational minimums, contributing to greater airport efficiency, minimizing flight cancellations and delays. Afonso Pena is one of the first airports in Latin America to operate this new equipment.
To do so, it is necessary to completely interdiction of runways at both airports at times defined in the meeting of the Special Coordination Group of Airlines in August. The closing in Afonso Pena Airport will be done during the week, from 0:15 to 6:15 am, and on weekends, from 8:15am to 12:15pm, Saturday to Sunday, until June 2012. Back in Londrina, the interdiction is being carried out from 12am to 6am on weekdays and from 7pm on Saturdays to 11pm on Sundays, until March 2012.
The time spent with the improvements will have a major impact on the final product, in which will be used the most modern construction techniques, so that other disruptions over the next years are not required. Such interference will prolong the use of the runway allowing extra use and ensure the highest levels of security for airport operations.
The work will be done at times that facilitate the change of flights by the airlines. The closure has been held at Salgado Filho International Airport in Porto Alegre (RS), when there was complete interdiction of a runway during the night for repairing works and installation of new air navigation system.
Thus, because of the importance and the benefits it will bring to passengers in these airports, the restructuring demonstrate the pursuit of excellence on airport service by Infraero.
Infraero recognizes the strategic role of Paraná state, so that new developments are planned for Afonso Pena International Airport, such as the expansion of the aircraft parking, with nine new aircraft positions, as well as the expansion of passenger terminal and the cargo terminal at Curitiba airport.
*João Márcio Jordão is Airport Director at Infraero.