If there is one thing that has led to many flights being delayed and cancelled is fog on the runway. The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) is one of the busiest airports in the country and flights being delayed due to fog, and less visibility is very frustrating for frequent travellers. But not to worry, the airport is all set to get a ‘fog-proof’ runway. The fog-proof runway is expected to come into effect post new year. It will be the perfect new year’s gift for frequent travellers to/from Bangalore. More details on the story ahead.
Kempegowda International Airport Fog-Free Runway
As per a report from the BangaloreMirror, The Airports Authority of India (AAI) recently issued an Aeronautical Information Publication Supplement (AIP) concerning low visibility procedures for RWY 09R/271/KIA. It is scheduled to come into effect from December 31, 2020. The South runway at the airport is being looked at to lead CAT III B operations, allowing takeoff and landing to be possible during the times of very low visibility.
The AIP shared by AAI states, “Runway 09R and Runway 27L at VOBL Airport are equipped for the CAT II/ CAT IIIA/ CAT IIIB operations. This document details the Low Visibility Procedure (LVP) procedure for south Runway viz., 09R/27L single Runway operations. The pilot shall ensure that he is suitably qualified and certified to carry out the required category of ILS approach.”
Reports about the South runway to become CAT III B compliant by the end of this year have been going for quite some time now. The Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) has said that the runway is currently work-in-progress for being CAT III B compliant.
A thing worth noting here is that the South runway at the airport became operational last year only, but the runway only saw a limited number of flights until March 2020, when the capacity was increased to full. But in March 2020, India went under a nationwide lockdown; thus, the runway couldn’t operate at full capacity for a long time.
As of present, the South runway has a CAT I certification. But by the end of the year, it is expected to become CAT III B compliant. It would mean that flights will be able to operate even when the visibility is up to 50 metres.
