Chandigarh International Airport Limited recently upgraded the facilities of the airport runway to CAT-II ILS in an attempt to avoid the cancellation and delay of flights due to dense fog this winter. By Ritika Dixit
Flight-takers to and from Chandigarh will have to face lesser inconveniences due to flight delays and cancellations from now on. The upgraded facilities of the airport runway from CAT-I ILS to CAT-II ILS will enable the flights to operate in the visibility up to 800 meters. Last year, the flights were only operational with the minimum visibility of 1,200 meters. According to sources, low visibility take off operations departure of flights from the said airport can now be executed in the visibility range as low as 125 meters, which indicates negligible delays in the departures.
With an increase in the total number of flights operating from Chandigarh International Airport, an increase in the number of bays, which will help park about 15 aircraft at the apron, is in the works. ‘Follow me’ vehicles have also been arranged to guide the aircraft from the runway to the bay or vice-versa to avoid inconveniences and any halt of operations. For the purpose of CAT-II operations, two RVR instruments have been installed mid-runway and at the end of the runway, in Chandigarh, three RVRs are installed to enhance the accuracy of the CAT-II ILS system and make the Chandigarh Airport safer than most other CAT-II compliant airports in India.
Last winter, there were no flight operations at the Chandigarh International Airport before 10 am but with the upgrade in facilities, flights can now operate from as early as 6 am. The airport is also open to host diverted flights from other destinations like Delhi and Amritsar.
With the fog blues being taken care of at the Chandigarh International Airport, plan a winter getaway to Shimla, Chail or Kasauli, which are easily accessible from Chandigarh.
Related: Here’s How You Can Explore The Best Of Chandigarh In 48 hours