By Nicole Harrison, Midland-Kalamunda Reporter
FOOTHILLS residents living beneath Perth Airport’s flight paths will notice much more activity in the sky above their homes in the next nine weeks.
The airport is set to embark on maintenance of its 3.4km main runway – work that only comes around every 15 to 20 years.
It means all aircraft will use the airport’s cross runway between 7am and 7pm from Monday to Saturday for nine weeks, beginning February 1 while the main runway is temporarily closed for maintenance.
The cross runway, the airport’s secondary runway, intersects with the main runway and runs northeast/southwest.
The airport expects residents in areas such as Greenmount, Helena Valley, Swan View, Bellevue and Koongamia will notice an increase in flights during the day as aircraft approach and leave on the cross runway.
It expects flight movements above the suburbs to increase from an average 70 a day to about 170 a day, depending on weather conditions.
Pilots will be able to land at and depart from the main runway at night despite the maintenance works as there will be no change to current flight patterns at night.
Airport staff have discussed the maintenance with local governments and politicians, and posted letters to residents in the affected areas to inform them of the work.
Perth Airport is undertaking these essential works to ensure the safe operation of the main runway.
The airport has set up a freecall information line, 1800 933 733.
It will also post updates about maintenance progress on its website.