No flights will operate out of the Chandigarh International Airport for two weeks in February as it will be closed for work on the runway. From February 12 to February 26, the length of the runway will be increased “with technologically advanced treatment”, an airport authority said.

“The decision was made nearly two months in advance so air travellers can change their plans accordingly,” Chandigarh Airport Chief Executive Officer Sunil Dutt said, adding that all airlines had been informed so they can make changes in their flight schedules in time.

The length of the runway will be increased from 9,000 feet to 10,200 feet to allow wide-bodied aircraft to operate from the Chandigarh airport. Dutt said the lengthened runway will allow them to introduce long-distance flights to Europe, Australia and the United States from Chandigarh, the Hindustan Times reported.

At present, 27 domestic flights operate out of the Chandigarh airport, with connections to Mumbai, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar and Jaipur. International flights to Dubai and Sharjah also operate out of Chandigarh, and another route to Bangkok will begin on December 11.