Tuesday, Jul 23, 2024 23:30 [IST]
Last Update: Monday, Jul 22, 2024 18:01 [IST]
GANGTOK, : Sikkim
MP D.T. Lepcha raised questions in Rajya Sabha regarding the operational
challenges faced by Pakyong Airport since its commissioning in 2018. The
questions focused on the frequent flight cancellations due to poor visibility,
especially during the monsoon season, and the steps being taken by the Central
government to mitigate these issues.
In a written reply on Monday, Minister
of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol confirmed that Pakyong Airport,
licensed as a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) aerodrome, faces significant
operational challenges during the monsoon season.
“Pakyong Airport is licensed as a Visual
Flight Rules (VFR) aerodrome which can sustain flight operations at or above
five kilometres of ground visibility. However, during the monsoon season, the
visibility often drops to 500 meters or less, posing substantial difficulties
for flight operations under Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC),” Mohol
stated.
To address this, the MoS said, the
government implemented a Required Navigation Performance (RNP) approach at
Pakyong Airport in January 2021. The initiative reduced the visibility criteria
to 2400 meters, resulting in a 75% reduction in flight cancellations, he added.
Despite this improvement, poor
visibility during monsoons continues to pose a substantial challenge.
Regarding potential future enhancements,
the MoS acknowledged the possibility of installing advanced navigation systems
at Pakyong Airport. A feasibility study for the installation of the GAGAN-based
navigation aid was conducted which recommended the removal or cutting of
adjacent hilly terrain to facilitate its implementation, he added.
However, the installation of the
Instrument Landing System (ILS) at Pakyong Airport faces obstacles. The installation of the ILS at Pakyong Airport
is limited by space availability, hilly terrain, and the need for additional
land along with the cutting of hills and trees, the MoS replied.
