Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is experiencing dense fog for the second consecutive day, prompting authorities to warn that flights not certified for Category III (CAT III) operations may be affected. According to recent data, over 90 flights have been delayed so far, with six more diverted to alternative airports.
But what exactly does CAT III mean? In simple terms, it’s a system that helps pilots land planes safely in extremely poor visibility conditions, such as fog or heavy snowfall. The system provides guidance on the runway alignment and glide path, allowing pilots to navigate safely.
There are three categories of CAT III: A, B, and C. CAT III A allows landing within 200 meters of the runway, while CAT III B permits landing within 50-200 meters. CAT III C enables landing in zero visibility conditions. The system also provides data on approach trajectory, touchdown zone, and distance to the runway.
Not all Indian airports are certified for CAT III operations. Currently, six airports – Delhi, Lucknow, Jaipur, Amritsar, Bengaluru, and Kolkata – have runways compliant with CAT III B. However, no airport has been certified for CAT III C yet.
It’s worth noting that landing under CAT III conditions requires specific flight equipment and pilot training. The system is being used at airports like New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport and London’s Heathrow Airport, but not in India yet.
Source: https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/explained-as-delhi-witnesses-dense-fog-how-flights-land-safely-in-zero-visibility-conditions-7395949