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DUMKA: Deoghar airport has earned the distinction of being the first airport in the state in terms of introducing flight operations under the special VFR (visual flight rules) thereby enabling flight operations in significantly lower visibility than the existing criteria of 5,000 metres.
The move, operational since November 10, has resolved the problems of frequent cancellation and diversion of flights to and from Deoghar airport due to the low visibility during the take-off and landing.
According to the Ranchi chapter of the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has approved the standard operating procedure (SOP) after comprehensive evaluation of safety risk assessment and mitigation process by all the stakeholders.
“It was being observed that during low visibility at Deoghar airport there were frequent cancellations/delays of flights to and from Deoghar causing inconvenience to the passengers,” a press release issued by the PIB said, adding that the special VFR operations were being introduced for the first time which would pave the way for enhancing connectivity of other airfields.
Speaking to TOI, the director in-charge of Deoghar airport, Pravin Kumar, said an extensive study on the scope of special VFR was conducted by the stakeholders keeping in mind the international regulations and best practices worldwide.
“Control zone and approach control unit at Deoghar has been established for conducting Special VFR operations which will enable ATR and Airbus 320 aircraft to land in the visibility of 2,800 and 3,200 metres respectively,” the director in-charge said, adding that the visibility requirements for the take-off stood at 3,200 and 3,600 metres respectively for both aircraft.
A dry run was also conducted. Deoghar airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July last year which currently handles three arrivals and three departures .
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