Primary runway to partially reopen at YYT

The St. John's International Airport Authorityhas announced the primary runway, which has been closed since June 1,will partially reopen Wednesday evening.

The runway was closed to complete athree-year infrastructure project needed for the installation and operation of anew instrument landing system (ILS), that will utilizestate-of-the-art technology.

The ILS will improve the abilityof flights to get in and out of St. John's, despite the weather.

In a statement, the airport authority said 6,000 feet of the total 8,500 foot runway will be available for aircraft operationsas of 7 p.m. Wednesday. This is in addition tothe 7,000 foot secondary runway.

The work on the main runway is said to be 85 per cent complete,and is on schedule to be finishedat the end of November.

In July, numerous flights were cancelled because of ongoing construction,poor weather and heavy fog, creating havoc forthousands of travellers.

Since the primary runway closed on June 1, the authority said "97.5 per cent of flights arrived and departed on schedule." Four flights were impacted in September.

Further information about the airport's improvement and expansion plans can be found by clicking here.