New rules to tackle fog-related flight disruptions

In an effort to mitigate fog-related flight disruptions, the DGCA today said that aircraft that are not compliant with the CAT 3B Instrument Landing System will not be allowed to land in Delhi before 10 am during low visibility conditions.

In an effort to mitigate fog-related flight disruptions, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Sunday said that aircraft that are not compliant with the CAT 3B Instrument Landing System (ILS) will not be allowed to land in Delhi before 10 am during low visibility conditions.

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According to a Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) official, the technologically superior CAT (category) IIIB ILS allows compliant aircraft and trained pilots to land even when the runway visibility is just 50 metres.

DGCA chief Nasim Zaidi said: "No aircraft which is non-compliant with CAT 3 B will be coming to Delhi during low visibility condition. We have taken the step that aircrafts which are not compliant with the category 3 B will follow a separate fog schedule."

"These aircrafts will be allowed to land after 10 am," he added.

Delhi saw the first heavy fog of this season Saturday, resulting in a massive disruption of flight services. On Sunday too the condition remained the same, with as many as 38 flights being cancelled and 42 diverted. This included both domestic and international flights.

The services resumed by afternoon.