BREAKING THROUGH THE FOG | Srinagar Airport transforms winter flight experience

Srinagar, Jan 6: Amidst the thick blanket of fog enveloping Kashmir, Srinagar International Airport, the solitary civilian airport in Kashmir, has triumphed over challenging weather conditions, facilitating smooth flight operations.

The success is attributed to a recent upgrade of the Instrument Landing System (ILS), enabling flights to operate seamlessly even in low visibility.

Civil aviation officials revealed that the aircraft at Srinagar International Airport is operating efficiently, even below the 1000-meter visibility mark this winter, largely due to the upgraded ILS and enhanced Runway Visual Range (RVR).

Speaking to Greater Kashmir, Director Srinagar International Airport Javed Anjum emphasised that despite the persistent low visibility in Kashmir due to fog over the past few days, the airport witnessed no cancellations or delays.

"We have upgraded the facilities, and in the coming days, CAT-II ILS will also be commissioned by the Airforce. However, due to the upgraded RVR and CAT-I, flights are operating smoothly even in low visibility at Srinagar Airport,” Anjum said. “Our objective is always to ensure minimum disruption to flight operations. Necessary steps have been taken to ensure that all operations are conducted safely and securely.”

Upon the completion of the CAT II installation, the visibility threshold is expected to decrease to 600 meters, significantly improving flight operations during winter and minimising disruptions experienced in previous years.

Last year, the Parliamentary Standing Committee criticised the government for the frequent cancellations at Srinagar International Airport, attributing them to the absence of the latest Instrument Landing System (ILS) CAT-II or CAT-III.

“The committee fails to understand the reason behind the non-installation of CAT-II and CAT facilities at the Srinagar International Airport in the present age of technology and that too at one of the strategic locations of J&K,” the committee said.

The report also highlighted the inconvenience faced by flyers, including Members of Parliament and tourists, and expressed hope that the ongoing Modernisation of Military Airfields (MAFI) project would enhance operational capabilities and aerospace safety.

“The committee feels that Srinagar, being one of the most attractive tourist places in India, is visited by a large number of tourists and the absence of CAT-II or CAT-III facility at the Srinagar Airport hampers the flow of tourists to Kashmir, which in turn affects its economy badly,” the committee emphasised, urging the ministry to expedite the installation of such facilities at the airport.