Early on Saturday morning, Bhopal's Raja Bhoj Airport faced a severe test as a thick blanket of fog drastically reduced visibility. However, in a significant demonstration of upgraded capability, the airport operated all flights without a single cancellation or diversion, thanks to its newly operational Category-II (CAT II) instrument landing system.
Navigating the Fog: A Test of Technology and Procedure
The challenging conditions began in the early hours, with visibility plummeting from 800 metres at 2:30 am to a mere 300 metres. Such conditions routinely cause widespread disruption at many airports across North India, leading to delayed and diverted flights. Instead of scaling down operations, the Bhopal airport authorities activated their Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) under the CAT-II protocol.
This decision proved crucial. The enhanced system, which includes precision guidance technology and upgraded runway lighting, allowed pilots to land and take off safely even when the runway visual range was severely restricted. For the first time in Bhopal's aviation history, an Air India aircraft executed a successful CAT-II ILS landing in actual foggy conditions. This was soon followed by multiple IndiGo flights operating under the same safety procedures.
Smooth Operations Amidst Challenging Weather
The effectiveness of the system was clear in the numbers. During the peak of the fog episode, between 12 noon and 1:10 am, the airport managed a total of 16 flight movements. This included nine arrivals and seven departures. More importantly, these flights facilitated the travel of over 2,300 passengers, all of whom were spared the inconvenience of last-minute cancellations or diversions that are common during the winter fog season.
The coordinated effort involved not just advanced technology but also specially trained air traffic controllers and flight crews who are proficient in handling CAT-II operations. The safety measures remained in force until visibility conditions improved significantly to around 1,500 metres.
A Blueprint for Fog-Affected Airports
This incident marks a pivotal moment for Raja Bhoj Airport and regional air connectivity. The successful management of flights under dense fog demonstrates a tangible upgrade in the airport's all-weather operational capacity. It highlights how infrastructure investment in advanced landing systems can minimize travel disruption during India's harsh winter months.
While flights across major airports in North India are frequently delayed or grounded due to fog, Bhopal's experience offers a model for improving reliability. The deployment of the CAT-II system ensures that the airport can maintain a much higher degree of normalcy, providing consistent service to passengers and airlines even when nature does not cooperate.
