On December 28, 2024, Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia, Costa Rica, experienced an unexpected disruption when two potholes were discovered on its runway. The incident prompted airport authorities to temporarily close the runway, resulting in flight delays, cancellations, and diversions.
The Incident: Runway Damage Detected
Flight Disruption Timeline
The issue was identified during routine inspections following aircraft landings. According to Deputy Director of Civil Aviation Luis Miranda, every landing during the period caused further surface detachment, necessitating an immediate runway closure.
- Closure Time: Initially planned from 16:00 to 18:30 but extended until just before 20:00.
- Impact:
- Flights delayed or canceled during the closure period.
- Around eight aircraft waited on the tarmac for departure when operations resumed.
Recurring Runway Issues
This wasn’t the first disruption at Liberia Airport due to runway maintenance:
- November 15, 2024: The airport was closed for 12 hours (06:00–18:00) to address similar runway issues.
- Affected Flights: Over 35 international operations.
- Reason: Persistent rainy conditions had delayed earlier maintenance work.
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport emphasized safety as the primary reason for such closures, despite the inconvenience caused to passengers and airlines.
Runway Maintenance: A Global Challenge
Runway maintenance is essential for ensuring aviation safety but often comes with operational challenges. Here’s how various airports handle such scenarios:
1. Brisbane Airport, Australia
- Problem: Aging concrete slabs at the ends of the runway required replacement.
- Solution:
- Affected area: 1,000 square meters.
- Runway length temporarily reduced from 3.5 km to 2.7 km.
- Large aircraft like Boeing 777s used a parallel runway while smaller jets operated on the shortened runway.
2. Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, India
- Challenge: Heavy monsoon rains cause wear and tear.
- Maintenance Strategy:
- Scheduled pre-and post-monsoon runway maintenance twice yearly.
- Focus on addressing rain-related damage to prevent operational disruptions.
3. Runway Skid Mark Removal
- Aircraft landings leave rubber skid marks due to the friction and heat generated on touchdown.
- Cleaning Techniques:
- Chemical solvents.
- High-pressure water blasting.
- Hot compressed air.
- Mechanical removal.
Such maintenance activities are often scheduled during lean traffic hours, typically at night, to minimize disruption.
The Importance of Proactive Runway Maintenance
Runways are critical to airport operations, and their upkeep ensures safety and efficiency. Key maintenance tasks include:
- Surface Repairs: Filling potholes and addressing cracks to prevent deterioration.
- Rubber Removal: Ensuring the runway surface retains its grip and friction characteristics.
- Drainage Upkeep: Preventing water accumulation, especially in regions with heavy rainfall.
- Resurfacing and Repaving: Periodically replacing the top layer to maintain smooth operations.
The temporary closure of Liberia Airport’s runway underscores the challenges airports face in balancing safety with operational efficiency. While such disruptions inconvenience passengers and airlines, they are essential for maintaining the integrity of the runway and preventing accidents.
As global air traffic continues to grow, proactive and timely runway maintenance will remain a priority for airports worldwide, ensuring that safety standards are upheld without compromising the reliability of flight operations.
