Originally Posted by
sewushr
I see there is a NOTAM for 09R/27L to be closed for works between 13th July and 30th September. Frankly I find this a rather strange decision, considering that is the period that offers the best hope for a 'late summer' recovery of traffic. Expect Gatwick-like queues at the holding point and lots of pretty patterns on FR24 as inbound aircraft complete multiple circuits in the hold!
I understand the financial benefit of completing the work during the day and in as short a timeframe as possible, but it hardly sends the right message to airlines and passengers if it imposes delays and limits the availability of slots during the recovery phase.
I am sure a lot of thought will have gone into arriving at this decision. Discussions and surveys to understand the condition of the runway, alternative approaches to solving the problem in the future and the "do nothing" option. Clearly the decision reached is that the work needs to be undertaken and now is likely to have the least impact.