Kolkata airport becomes CAT-III-B-complaint, can operate in poor visibility

Kolkata: Adding another feather to its cap, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata has become the fifth airport in India having CAT III landing system that will allow flights to operate till the visibility drops below 50 meters.

Every year during December and January, due to fog, flights operating to and from the northern part of India are disrupted. Despite taking the best of measures by all the stakeholders namely, Airports Authority of India, Airlines and MeT Department, it has been observed that flights are delayed as a result of the unpredictable weather.

Airport director Atul Dixit said: "Kolkata has operationalised CAT IIIB landing system on runway 01R. It enables flight operation up to runway visual range of 50 meters with a decision height of 15 meters. The facility also includes visual guidance through taxiway centreline lights up to aircraft parking stands from January 4, 12 am."

He added: "This is a big achievement. Now, we can be a 24x7 functional airport. With the introduction of this facility, both sides of the runway 19L-01R are now equipped to handle low visibility operation. Runway 19L already has CAT II facility."

Kolkata is the fifth airport to get this upgradation after Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Jaipur. Flights can now land even when visibility is as low as 50 meters. This will enable around-the-clock service and reduce the harassment of passengers due to flight delays.

It would also benefit the airlines in terms of increased safety, avoiding diversions, minimising holding for visibility improvement with consequent gains in operating costs and lesser fuel burn and substantial environmental efficiency.

Presently, there are 425 flight movements each day from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Terminal in Kolkata.