Now planes can operate from Chandigarh despite fog

CHANDIGARH - Aircraft will now be able to land and take off from Chandigarh in foggy and low visibility conditions as its military controlled airport has finally got the crucial instrument landing system (ILS) device, which would start working soon.

“A memorandum has been signed between the AAI (Airport Authority of India) and the Indian Air Force (IAF). They (IAF) have provided us the space and we have procured and installed the machinery of ILS. It is from Thales company, and has been imported from Italy at a cost of around Rs.1 crore,” airport director H.S. Toor told reporters here Tuesday.

“AAI’s technical team is here and calibration of ILS is going on. Its air calibration is pending and it would be completed in two-three days. We hope this device will be commissioned in a week’s time,” he added.

Toor said that in normal conditions, a plane can land safely if the visibility is up to 2,800-3,000 metres. The ILS can help if visibility is reduced to 1,200 to 1,400 metres.

Chandigarh airport primarily a military airfield, and all air traffic control facilities, including navigational and landing aids and other safety measures, are the responsibility of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Everyday, over a dozen flights arrive and depart from this airport and all the major airlines like Air India, Jet Airways, Kingfisher, Go Air and MDLR operate from here.

However, due to poor visibility, no flight had operated from Chandigarh airport for six days Jan 5 to 10. A couple of airlines resumed their operations Tuesday.