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Dubai: Diversions and delays of flights due to fog are a thing of the past at Dubai International Airport, as a new category of Instrument Landing System has become fully operationalfollowing certification by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on March 10.
A major upgrade over the Cat I and Cat II systems that were in use, the newly certified CAT IIIA Instrument Landing System (ILS) enables a pilot to land in visibility as low as 200 metres.
Dubai international airport is the first CAT IIIA-compliant airport in the region, including the subcontinent.
Big achievement
Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports, said: "It is a big achievement for Dubai Airports and it will positively impact our operations.
"Disruption or diversion of flights due to low visibility is a major inconvenience for passengers and a logistical challenge for the airlines and airports. The new system will translate into great benefits for the passengers, airlines and Dubai International airport by enabling low visibility operations."
The new category of landing system has been in use for some time at Dubai International, according to Mohammad Ahli, Director General of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chief Executive Officer of Air Traffic Services (ATS).
"We have been using the system for some time now. As a prerequisite for the certification from the federal authority we have tested it for 6,000 hours," he said.
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