Bengaluru Airport becomes first in the country to own aircraft recovery kit

January 14, 2020: Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) entered into an agreement with the German aircraft recovery equipment supplier KUNZ GmbH to manufacture, supply, commission and maintain the specialised Disabled Aircraft Recovery Equipment (DARE).

Thus Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (KIAB) becomes the first to own the equipment that enhances operational capabilities, reduce downtime and faster resumption of aircraft during runway emergencies.

Runway crises and disabled aircraft

Disabled aircraft on the runway can affect the airport operations, causing in flight delays, diversions and loss of revenue for both carriers as well as airports. The effective recovery of disabled aircraft in the movement area will help to maintain unaffected operations, undisturbed business and organisational resilience.

Recovery kit, team and training

The kit, with multiple components and customised for BLR Airport, will include ground preparation tools, aircraft lifting, de-bogging, tethering, towing, and all other associated aspects of both narrow- and wide-body aircraft.

Under the scope of this agreement, BIAL has constituted a team of recovery managers who will undergo extensive hands-on training at KUNZ GmbH’s state-of-the-art recovery training facility in Germany. Additionally, a Quick Response Recovery Team (QRRT) will be formed and imparted with technical knowledge to respond to critical situations.

As part of this agreement, KUNZ GmbH also agreed to jointly establish a centre for disabled aircraft recovery training with BIAL, making BLR Airport the first in the region to have such a facility. This facility will develop and expand the skill set in India.

Keeping the impact minimal

“The acquisition of this equipment boosts BLR Airport’s operational capability during runway emergencies. At a time when the aviation industry in India is growing at an unprecedented rate, this Disabled Aircraft Recovery Equipment will ensure that the impact to operations is minimal, if there is an incident on the runway,” said Thomas Hoff Andersson, chief operating officer, BIAL.
“We are delighted to partner with KUNZ GmbH for the supply for this equipment and set up a training centre that will benefit the aviation community,” Andersson added.

Andreas Fuge, managing director, KUNZ GmbH said “Kunz is honoured to have received this contract from BIAL to not only equip the airport with a wide range of Kunz aircraft recovery products, but also enter into a strategic partnership to establish a centre of competency for aircraft recovery training in the region along with local support of Millennium Aero Dynamics.”

“Kunz offers the widest range of aircraft recovery products in the market and our equipment has proven its rugged design and easy deployment in emergency situations world over. Together with our strong partner BIAL, we will develop a competent training centre in Bengaluru to reduce the downtime of airports during recovery situations and increase awareness to avoid secondary damage to aircraft during the recovery operation,” he added.