This past week has seen a stark reminder that while COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on the global aviation industry, there are still other challenges to be faced.
On 7 August, an Air India Express with 190 people onboard overshot the tabletop runway at Kozhikode Airport in Kerala, leaving 18 dead. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which was repatriating Indian nationals stranded abroad as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, skidded as it landed in heavy rains before sliding off the tarmac and breaking in two.
Kozhikode is one of only a handful of airports in India with a tabletop runway – a challenge for air crew, especially during inclement weather, as they typically have steep drops at one or both ends of the runway.
As a result of the crash, Arun Kumar, Head of India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), said it will conduct additional checks at airports across the country affected by heavy monsoon rains.
“We will review everything – the condition of the runway, its incline, the lighting as well as drainage,” Kumar said. He added that these additional checks cover a dozen airports, including those in Chennai, Kochi, Trivandrum as well as Mumbai, all of which are subjected to heavy annual rain falls.
The DGCA has also said no big aircraft will be operated from Kozhikode until further notice. The Indian regulator had been putting pressure on the airport authorities to augment infrastructural facilities such as Runway End Safety Areas (RESA) that were lacking at the airport.
Kerala’s Minister for Health thanked rescue workers for their timely response in the aftermath of the plane crash. “We understand that while rushing to the site many of you were not able to follow COVID-19 protocol,” Shailaja Teacher posted on twitter. “Our priority was to save lives. However, now we have to be vigilant again. We urge all who have been to the crash site to take necessary measures to keep yourself and others safe.”
It’s a tragic reminder that the challenges threatening to disrupt the industry must now be managed alongside the risk of COVID-19.
My thoughts are with all those affected by the incident,
Chloë Greenbank
Editor, Regional Gateway
