Bhubaneswar: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked Air India and SpiceJet to show cause for assigning duty to pilots not trained in CAT III technology, which helps planes navigate dense fog and inclement weather conditions amid low visibility while landing.
According to the country’s aviation regulator, over 50 Delhi airport-bound flights were diverted due to low visibility on December 24-25 and December 27-28, hence the showcause notice was issued.
Visibility in and around Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport dropped to 0-50 metres at times during the past week as dense fog enveloped the national capital and adjoining areas. Numerous flights to and from Delhi airport have been affected.
CAT III technology is an Instrument Landing System (ILS) that guides planes to the runway during low visibility conditions like fog, snow or heavy rain.
The navigation system enables landings with a visibility of 200 metres and a ceiling of 60 metres, thus minimising need for flight diversions.
