IMPHAL: In view of the onset of the winter fog season, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Imphal International Airport, convened a Fog Preparedness Meeting on Saturday to minimize flight diversions and cancellations while ensuring smooth, safe, and passenger-centric airport operations.
Chaired by Imphal International Airport Director Chipemmi Keishing, the meeting and was attended by K Ambethkar, Scientist ‘D’, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Imphal; Kiran Khade, CASO, CISF; Heads of Departments of AAI; and all Airline Station Manager.
The meeting deliberated on ensuring safe, seamless, and efficient flight operations during fog-prone conditions, with particular emphasis on inter-agency coordination, operational preparedness, and timely decision-making to enhance passenger experience, a statement read.
Imphal International Airport is equipped with a Category-I Instrument Landing System (ILS) and comprehensive Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL) infrastructure, including Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI), Simple Approach Lighting System (SALS), guard lights, and aeronautical ground lighting, enabling safe and efficient aircraft operations under low-visibility conditions.
The existing CAT-I ILS facilitates aircraft landing operations with minimum weather requirements of visibility/RVR of 800 metres/ 550 metres, in accordance with prevailing regulatory standards.
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Moreover, a transmissometer providing accurate, real-time Runway Visual Range (RVR) data has been commissioned to further enhance operational safety and situational awareness during reduced visibility and has been fully operational since July 2024. The availability of real-time RVR information significantly strengthens Air Traffic Control and flight crew decision-making during adverse weather conditions.
Additionally, the Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) for Imphal International Airport have been recently approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Implementation of LVP enables aircraft departure operations in conditions with RVR as low as 400 metres, subject to compliance with prescribed operational, technical, and safety requirements. These measures collectively enhance operational reliability, safety, and continuity during periods of reduced visibility.
The Airport Director informed that all operational systems are fully functional and readiness-certified, adding that the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for fog management are in place to ensure uninterrupted operations throughout the winter season.
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To mitigate passenger inconvenience during weather-related delays, several passenger-centric facilitation measures have been ensured, including additional seating arrangements, adequate availability of food and beverages, essential medicines, sanitary items, and timely dissemination of flight-related information.
Coordination meetings were also held with taxi operators and nearby hotels to ensure preparedness and quality passenger services during contingencies, according to the statement.
A dedicated inter-departmental communication group has been constituted to enable real-time coordination and swift decision-making. Further, a dedicated Operations Control Room has also been established at AAI, Imphal, to provide immediate assistance and coordination, and can be contacted at 9402880368, it stated.
Emphasizing operational continuity, Airport Director Chipemmi Keishing said that a comprehensive mock exercise on fog preparedness involving all departments, agencies, and stakeholders has been successfully conducted.
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Assuring that all necessary operational and logistical support would be extended whenever required, the Airport Director reiterated that flight cancellations and diversions must be avoided to the maximum extent possible.
The meeting also decided that scheduled flights would be accorded priority over diverted flights, in the interest of passenger convenience and operational discipline.