Damaged ILS grounds Dhaka flights in fog

Dense winter fog has once again disrupted flight operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), but this season the impact has been far more severe due to damage to the airport's Instrument Landing System (ILS).

With the upgraded system not fully operational, airlines have been forced to delay flights and divert aircraft to other airports, including those in neighbouring countries, compounding passenger suffering and raising concerns over operational preparedness at the country's busiest airport.

A recently installed Category-2 ILS, designed to allow safe landings in poor visibility, was damaged in late October, leaving HSIA ill-equipped to cope with foggy conditions typical of December and January.

Aviation experts warn that unless repairs are expedited, disruptions are likely to continue throughout the winter peak season.

At least 12 flights were diverted over the past week due to foggy conditions in Dhaka, according to Group Captain SM Ragib Samad, executive director of HSIA.

On a single day, Saturday, eight flights were diverted as a safety precaution: three to Chattogram, four to Kolkata and one to Bangkok. Although no further diversions have occurred since then, many flights have continued to operate behind schedule.

bikashju@gmail.com