Open House: Is it time to install latest instrument landing system at Airport to avoid disruptions in flight schedule?

Air traffic is on the increase. The flights must run on time as many passengers have to catch further national and international connecting flights. Since fog is a regular phenomenon, there is genuine need for installation of latest equipment. The airport authorities can apply surcharge on tickets to recover the cost the way toll is collected on bridges and roads.

NPS Sohal, Chandigarh

Prioritise regular maintenance

To enhance Shaheed Bhagat Singh International (SBSI) Airport's resilience in winter, there is a need to invest in cutting-edge instrument landing systems. It must be upgraded to some state-of-the-art technology, such as CAT-III ILS, for improved visibility during unfavourable weather conditions. Prioritise regular maintenance and staff training to ensure seamless operations. This proactive approach will not only minimise disruptions but also enhance the airport's reputation for reliability and passenger satisfaction.

Gaganpreet Singh, Mohali

Invest in latest landing system

The SBSI Airport can no longer afford to be grounded by the winter blues. Frequent flight disruptions are testing the passengers' patience and denting Mohali's reputation. It is high time we embraced the future. Investing in the latest instrument landing system

will not only help pierce through the fog, but it will also solidify Mohali's position as a reliable, all-weather aviation hub. Let us weatherproof our skies and watch tourism soar, because a connected Mohali is a thriving Mohali. Don't just clear the runway; clear the path for progress.

Amanjot Kaur, Mohali

Immediate need for tech-powered facelift

Mohali's winter blues are painted in flight disruptions, leaving passengers stranded and frustrated. It is time for a tech-powered facelift! Go for the latest instrument landing system, slice through fog like a laser and transform the winter woes into seamless landings. Let Mohali be the runway for progress, not delays. Let it turn into a haven for travellers and airlines, even when the skies turn grey.

Gurdev Singh, Mohali

Save passengers of inconvenience

Inclement weather delays flights at the SBSI Airport, causing great inconvenience to passengers as well as their abroad travel plans. The need of the hour is to install all-weather ILS at the earliest. Further, passengers must be informed well in advance about delayed arrivals or departures so that their friends/relatives could plan their visit to the airport accordingly.

Col TBS Bedi, Mohali

Advanced tech to benefit NRIs

The Mohali airport has been catering to flyers of the North India to domestic and international destinations. Non-installation of CAT-III ILS makes it difficult for pilots to land during low visibility and foggy conditions. NRIs from North India also visit their native places during this period of the year. Such weather conditions render the airport inoperative. There is a need to install the latest ILS at the airport for uninterrupted flight operations.

Wg Cdr JS Minhas (retd), Mohali

Recover ILS cost from air tickets

Latest instrument landing system will save precious time of passengers. In December and January, foggy weather delays/cancels flights. The SBSI Airport, a gateway for North India, is the pathway for industrial development in the region. The authorities can levy a nominal fee to recover the cost of the latest ILS.

Sunny Dhaliwal, Chandigarh

New system to ensure safety of passengers

To avoid disruption in the flight schedule, the airport must get the latest ILS immediately. The airport caters to the flyers from states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh besides UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Chandigarh. To save them from inconvenience, the airport must be equipped with latest landing technology. Safe landing, take-off will ensure safety of passengers.

Kirpal Singh, Chandigarh

Bring stakeholders on board, get CAT-III

Currently, the installation of the ILS with modern CAT-III-B technology is facing headwinds due to a lack of synergy amongst all stakeholders. The major stumbling block has been the relocation of military infrastructure. We need to concede to the fact if the ILS-III is installed, it would also enhance the operational effectiveness of our armed forces as military aircraft would be able to land in near zero visibility conditions, especially during war in winter. Simultaneously, it will also address the woes of a large civil populace during peace. An actionable committee of all stakeholders with judicial powers needs to be formed forthwith in overall nation's interest.

Brig Advitya Madan, Chandigarh

Latest Landing System need of the hour

The frequent flight disruptions at the Mohali airport are a major source of inconvenience and frustration for passengers. To overcome this problem, the airport authorities should install the latest ILS, which is a precision radio navigation system that provides short-range guidance to aircraft to allow them to approach a runway at night or in bad weather. The ILS will ensure a safe and smooth landing in any weather condition, slash the risk of accidents and delays and enhance the efficiency and reputation of the airport. The airport authorities should use various methods to impress upon the public and all stakeholders the benefits of the ILS. The use of catchy slogans, videos, posters, expert endorsements, public demonstrations and social media campaigns can be a step in the right direction.

Sahibpreet Singh, Mohali

Install latest ILS, stop harassing flyers

Huge efforts had gone into planning the airport, acquiring land and erecting infrastructure. Absence of advanced landing system renders the airport useless in adverse weather conditions. Harassing passengers and forcing airlines to incur avoidable losses due to cancellation of flights is criminal negligence.

Deepak Dua, Mohali

Inform passengers on potential delays

Implementing a cutting-edge ILS at the airport can enhance winter operations. Additionally, proactive communication about potential delays, providing passengers with real-time updates, and offering amenities to ease inconvenience during disruptions can improve the flyer's overall experience.

Gurpreet Kaur, Mohali

Exploit tech, check cancellation, delays

Frequent disruptions in the flight schedule at the Mohali airport calls for installation of modern ILS as it helps pilots navigate through conditions like fog and snow, enabling safe landing. Upgrading to the latest ILS will significantly reduce weather-related flight cancellations and delays, improving passenger experience and airline reliability.

Prithvee Yakhmi, Chandigarh

Leaders must take up issue with Centre

Besides defence, the SBSI airport caters to travellers from three states and UT. It stands low on priority list when it comes to upgrading the landing system and starting international flights. Defence-related concerns cannot be allowed to linger on indefinitely. Political leaders promised in the run-up to elections to take up the issue with the Centre, but failed to do so, resulting in sufferings for passengers. It is high time tricity leaders joined hands to raise the issue in parliament.

Col Balbir Singh Mathauda (retd), Chandigarh

Modern technology to ensure flyers’ safety

Flying in fog is quite challenging, even for experienced pilots. It is fraught with risks due to low visibility. In such conditions, the air traffic controllers have to increase the time-gap between flights. This causes delays in landing and take-off, reducing the number of flights and causing inconvenience to passengers. The installation of the latest ILS would ensure safety and comfort of passengers.

Vijay Shukla, Chandigarh

Go hi-tech, ward off winter blues

Frequent disruptions in flight schedule at the SBSI Airport during winter cause inconvenience to passengers. The airport authorities should install latest instrument landing system so that passengers do not have to face any inconvenience.

Adish Sood, Amloh

Lack of will to better region’s air link

Residents of Chandigarh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana areas close to the SBSI Airport have been waiting for years to see it become a true international airport. It seems the dream will never come true. Apparently, there is a lack of will on the part of the authorities concerned to improve air connectivity to this area. Just compare the number of international airports in other states of India! Uninterrupted functioning throughout the year is important for an airport to get international flights.

Meenu Kaur

Flight take-off issues to persist

Frequent disruptions in the flight schedule cannot be directly resolved by the instrument landing system as it is just an aid for landing and helps the pilot precisely land the flight in low visibility. It will not help in resolving the problem of passengers. The ILS is no solution to delayed flights as it only helps an aircraft in landing, not in taking off.

Antra Rakheja, Chandigarh

Centre yet to honour its 2020 word in court

In 2020, the Centre had told the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the advanced instrument landing system, which helps aircraft operate in near-zero visibility conditions, will be installed at the Chandigarh international airport, but it has not been installed yet. The SBSI Airport is the only international airport which operates only two or three flights to other countries. To tackle landing issues due to foggy weather, the AAI should install the latest landing system at the airport.

Vijay Malia, Chandigarh

Advanced equipment to boost civil aviation

The airport runs 42 commercial flights to various domestic destinations every day besides international flights. The number is expected to swell in future. In absence of dependable landing assistance system during dense fog, the regular flight schedule takes a hit. This not only causes commercial losses, but also comes as a setback for passengers as they miss their connecting flights, business/important engagements. It is imperative that the civil aviation authorities take action to install advanced ILS to boost the operational efficacy of the airport.

SSArora, Mohali

Must to mitigate weather issues

The ILS is a variable solution to mitigate the impact of adverse weather. It will provide accurate guidance during the approach and landing phases. It can improve the airport's capability to handle flights during winters, reducing delays and ensuring a safer landing experience.

Anita K Tandon, Mundi Kharar

Tech much-needed, to help pilot’s dilemma

The upgraded ILS is a much-needed technology that lessens the minimum altitude needed for a pilot to see the runway end before he/she has to decide whether to land or divert the plane in a dicey situation. Currently, an airplane needs minimum 350m visibility to land safely. Due to fog, flights get delayed or even get cancelled, causing a lot of problem to passengers. Such situations always arise during peak winter months - December and January.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

Sanction funds for airport upgrade

Technology update is the need of the hour. Like national highways, the government should sanction special budget for airports so that latest landing system and other necessary safety equipment could be installed there. It will result in better service to customers and revenue for the airport authority, making it a win-win situation for both the parties.

Avinash Goyal, Chandigarh

Mull multiple factors for infra upgrade

ILS at an airport is determined by combination of operational and financial considerations. It is required to ensure safe landing of aircraft, specially during adverse weather conditions and fog. The installation of latest ILS depends on various factors such as size and type of aircraft, volume of traffic, local weather conditions and availability of funds.

Charu Malhotra, Mohali

Consider Airport’s strategic importance

The winter months bring a lot of pain for travellers due to flight disruptions, cancellations and diversions at the SBSI Airport, which is ill-equipped to handle flights in low visibility. As this airport has a strategic importance, the Ministry of Defence and the AAI should brainstorm to overcome this seasonal disruption. The airport has to install the latest version of the advanced instrument landing system. The flight delays have economic and time value. Even the pilots of many airlines are not experienced and trained to land the aircraft in low visibility. So more training and certification is needed to upgrade skills of pilots. The authorities have to do all it is needed for smoother flight operations in winters.

Dr Anil Kumar Yadav, Chandigarh

Accord priority to airport upgrade

It is strange that an International airport providing services to Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and modern city of Chandigarh is not equipped with the latest technology of instrument landing system, effecting the delays, cancellation of flights due to fog or other weather conditions. The authorities must ensure the airport remains functional in all weathers. Its upgrade should be taken on priority considering social, administrative, medical and strategic requirements of the region.

Sqn Ldr Manjit Singh Johar (retd), Chandigarh

Question for next week

The UT Forest Department has drafted standard operating procedure (SOP) for the pruning of trees. What factors need to be considered by the department before finalising the SOP?

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