Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has embarked upon a plan to uplift air navigation infrastructure and airports for safe and efficient operations of aircraft in pursuant of the New Aviation Policy 2015. It also involves the up-gradation of Instrument Landing System (ILS) to CAT-IIIB at Allama Iqbal International Airport (AIIAP).
The Lahore Airport Manager of Civil Aviation Authority Mirza Akthar highlighting the salient feature of the project said that the up-gradation would address the long outstanding issue regarding disruption of flights at Lahore during intense fog and smog conditions, ensuring safe and uninterrupted flight operations.
This state of the art ILS CAT-IIIB system is supplemented by Advanced Airfield Lighting System and Surface Movement Radar. "Combination of these systems will facilitate precision approach and landing guidance to the aircraft during inclement weather conditions" he added. "Earlier landing at Lahore was not possible below 350 meters visibility, but now with the help of ILS CAT-IIIB, landing would be possible even up to 50 meters visibility during the intense fog he maintained. ILS Cat-III B upgrade project comprises installation of various components he said. "Significant work on the project which includes upgrade of ILS to CAT-IIIB, installation of associated airfield lighting system on primary runway and one of the linked taxiways will be complete by December 1, 2015" he pointed out.