Lahore – The modern landing technology system recently installed at Allama Iqbal International Airport to fight fog disruption has failed to function effectively.
Two international flights were diverted to other stations after up-to-date landing system at the Allama Iqbal International Airport failed to assist in dense fog.
A Qatar Airlines flight with 628 passengers on board had reached Lahore from Doha but it could not land due to fog.
Air Blue flight had reached from Sharjah and it continued to hover in the air before it was diverted to Islamabad due to poor visibility.
The ILS CAT-III is a ground-based instrument approach system that provides precision guidance to an aircraft for safe landing during conditions such as low ceiling or reduced visibility due to fog, smog, rain and other meteorological phenomena.
In the recent past a former DG CAA in his interview with Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) had disclosed some flaws in another landing system already installed at AIIAP. He said adjustments in that system need to be done otherwise it could cause accident. Right after couple of weeks Shaheen Airlines plane skidded off the runway and was totally damaged. Luckily passengers remained safe.
The Allama Iqbal International Airport has become the first airport in the country and second in South Asia where the latest instrument landing system (ILS) CAT III-B has been installed to improve visibility during fog.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif inspected and inaugurated on Saturday the latest landing system installed on the runway.