The much-awaited and much-talked-about Instrumental Landing System (ILS) will finally be operational at the Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri from 29 March.
A notification to this effect was issued by the Airports Authority of India last evening, airport officials here said.
The installation of the system will bring about more flexibility in flight operations at the airport, while also making it possible for aircraft to land early morning and late nights, airport director Rakesh Sahay said on Friday.
“The installation of the ILS will definitely contribute to the rise in the number of flights at the airport. Right now, flights can operate only between 11 am and 7 pm, but after the installation of the ILS, flights can operate between 6 am and 10 pm,” said Mr Sahay.
“At present, the airport handles 22 daily operational flights, with 44 movements, 22 arrival flights and 22 departure flights,” he added. “As of now, a flight needs at least 2,100 meters of visibility at Bagdogra.
Once the category-II ILS is operational, visibility of only 350 meters is required, with the approach lights installed over a stretch of 900 ft ahead of the existing runway,” he said.
An ILS enables an aircraft to land even if the pilots are unable to establish visual contact with the runway through the transmitted radio signals.
It is a radio navigation system which provides aircraft with horizontal and vertical guidance just before and during landing and at certain fixed points, airport officials said.