Plane Diversion And Delays: NMIA to have ILS, flights can take-off, land in poor visibility

The airport will use a Category II Instrument Landing System (ILS), which allows pilots to make safe landings when conditions are poor due to fog, heavy rain, or other weather conditions.

Written by Siddhant Konduskar , Naresh S

Mumbai | Updated: August 25, 2025 08:14 AM IST

Navi Mumbai airport to use ILS for landings in poor visibility

The upcoming Navi Mumbai airport. (Express photo by Narendra Vaskar)

Set to be inaugurated by September-end and begin operations around 45 days later, the much awaited Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) will have the capability to carry out landings and take offs even in poor visibility conditions, thanks to the advanced navigational aids and lighting systems installed at the airport, NMIA officials said. The greenfield airport, thus will address the hassle of diversions and delays that airplanes are subjected to especially during monsoon.

The airport will use a Category II Instrument Landing System (ILS), which allows pilots to make safe landings when conditions are poor due to fog, heavy rain, or other weather conditions. “The system operates by offering aircraft on the final approach precise lateral and vertical guidance, enabling landings at visibility levels as low as 300 metres,” said Prabhat Mahapatra, Chief Operating Officer, NMIA.

This is an important improvement for Mumbai, where the existing CSMIA requires a minimum runway visual range (RVR) of 550 metres for landings. Although CSMIA allows Low Visibility Take Offs (LVTO) at 400 metres RVR, poor conditions often force diversions to other cities. NMIA’s setup will ensure an aircraft can continue operations without rerouting, reducing inconvenience for passengers and airlines alike.

The upcoming Navi Mumbai airport. (Express photo by Narendra Vaskar)

To support the Category II Instrument Landing System, NMIA has displaced its runway threshold by nearly 600 metres. This adjustment ensures that approaching aircraft follow a standard three-degree glide angle, which is essential for safe and predictable landings during poor visibility conditions.

The decision to align the runway with a three-degree glide path was taken keeping international practices in mind, ensuring compatibility with pilot training standards across the world.

Along with the ILS is a Category II approved Precision Approach Lighting System. This lighting aids pilots in aligning the aircraft properly to the runway at the final approach to landing. The lighting pattern is easily seen even in adverse weather.

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