New IGI runway cleared for CAT-III

New Delhi: Theoretically, fog should not have fliers stranded in Delhi from now on. Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Naseem Zaidi has certified IGI's new runway for category III landings and take offs from 6 pm on Saturday, making it the first Indian airport to have two runways that can handle flights when visibility drops to as low as 50 metres.
But that's where the theory ends and reality begins. Airlines are yet to completely train their pilots or equip aircraft with the hi-tech system. While as many as 1,163 Indian pilots are trained for CAT II and III movements, their deployment in Delhi during fog season remains poor. So each time fog strikes, airlines despite having trained pilots are taken by surprise and passengers are grounded.
Aware of these problems, Zaidi has mounted a strict vigil on airlines. "The Met department gives its forecast in the evening for the next day. If it forecasts a foggy day, airlines must roster their trained pilots for flights in and out of Delhi for the next day. By 10 am on foggy days, airlines will have to report to me their pilot deployment," Zaidi said.
He added that strict action will be taken against airlines if they fail to prevent passenger inconvenience by proper rostering of pilots. "There is no shortage of trained CAT II or III pilots in India. If airlines don't roster them properly, they will have to face consequences," the DG added. These consequences could mean losing prime slots in Delhi during winter giving preference to planes with CAT-II or III pilots on foggy days leaving the unprepared ones at the end of queue for take off.
The government also issued a list of airlines with their strength of trained CAT II or III pilots. Being a fiercely competitive market, passengers are free to choose airlines that are on paper better prepared to handle Delhi's fog.
13/12/08 Times of India

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Categories: Airports Dec 2008