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Fog or smog, flights to remain uninterrupted at Lahore airport

LAHOREPakistan Civil Aviation Authority has embarked upon a plan to uplift air navigation infrastructure and airports for safe and efficient operations of aircraft in pursuant of the New Aviation Policy 2015. It also involves the upgradation of Instrument Landing System to CAT-IIIB at Allama Iqbal International Airport (AIIAP) Lahore. The

By our correspondents
August 23, 2015
LAHORE
Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority has embarked upon a plan to uplift air navigation infrastructure and airports for safe and efficient operations of aircraft in pursuant of the New Aviation Policy 2015.
It also involves the upgradation of Instrument Landing System to CAT-IIIB at Allama Iqbal International Airport (AIIAP) Lahore. The upgradation will address the outstanding issue of disruption of flights at Lahore during intense fog and smog conditions, ensuring safe and uninterrupted flight operations.
The state of the art ILS CAT-IIIB system is supplemented by Advanced Airfield Lighting System and Surface Movement Radar. Combination of the systems will facilitate precision approach and landing guidance to the aircraft during inclement weather conditions. Earlier, landing at Lahore was not possible below 350 meters visibility, but now with the help of ILS CAT-IIIB, landing would be possible even up to 50 meters visibility.
The upgrade project comprises installation of various components. Significant work on the project which includes upgrade of ILS to CAT-IIIB, installation of associated airfield lighting system on primary runway and one of the linked taxiways will be complete by December 1, 2015.
The project also entails installation of Surface Movement Guidance Control System (SMGCS)/ Surface Movement Radar (SMR), Airfield Lighting System (AFL) on other linked taxiways, Advanced Visual Docking Guidance System (AVDGS) and training of CAA personnel to facilitate safe and secure movement of aircraft on ground till docking at the Avio Bridge under poor visibility conditions. AIIAP Lahore will join the list of very few top rated airports in the world that have the capability to handle the aircraft operations in poor visibility conditions. In this region, Allama Iqbal International Airport would be the second airport after Indra Ghandi International Airport, Delhi to have this state of the art facility.
The domestic and international passengers travelling to and from AIIAP Lahore would benefit greatly in terms of facilitation and convenience, whereas airlines would gain in terms of huge fuel savings, uninterrupted and safe operations. This is yet another initiative by Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority to bring airports at a par with international standards.