Why fogs disrupt flights in India every year and how to fix it
₹10 crore, it has two radio signals—a Localizer that offers left or right guidance, and a Glide Slope for up or down signals. Airports typically apply the Category II (CAT-II) procedure for flights and pilots when visibility is 275-550 metres, and CAT-III below 275 metres, down to 50 metres. Only CAT-III B certified pilots can land when the visibility is about 50 metres.
CAT III C can land on auto-pilot even in zero visibility and is currently used at airports like New York’s JFK International Airport and London’s Heathrow airport. Delhi airport has four runways but only two are compliant with ILS CAT IIIB standards. Of the two non-compliant runways, one has been non-operational for weeks.
Of the compliant runways, one was reportedly downgraded to CAT 1 due to nearby building work but was made operational again on 16 January. Plus, flights cannot depart unless visibility is at least 125 metres, so planes pile up on bays Claiming airports were shut as flights can’t operate in zero-visibility, the government has asked the Delhi Airport authorities to “immediately expedite the operationalization of the CAT III-enabled 4th runway (in addition to the existing CAT III-enabled runway)". This, however, will be subject to clearance from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Yet, the fact is that airlines will have to train more pilots to be CAT-III B compliant, and the cost is estimated to be around ₹7 lakh per pilot. Some airlines are experimenting with the global position system (GPS) as alternatives to ILS. Airbus has integrated these new technologies with an ILS look-alike interface, which can help pilots to perform “straight-in" approaches using satellite positioning, even in low-visibility conditions.
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