Air navigation: CM unveils state-of-the-art landing system at airport

It provides approaching aircraft precise guidance during low visibility

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Saturday unveiled the state-of-the-art instrument landing system CAT-IIIB (ILS) installed at Allama Iqbal International Airport.

The chief minister inspected the system at the airport’s runway. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Civil Aviation Shuja Azeem apprised the Chief Minister of the system’s features. Sharif felicitated Azeem on the occasion. He said Allama Iqbal International had become South Asia’s second airport to be equipped with the system in the wake of the development. The chief minister said the system’s installation would facilitate the smooth flow of flights by enabling aircraft to land in adverse weather conditions.



Sharif praised the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for quickly installing the system. He said the system’s introduction would save time in addition to ensuring smooth flow of flights in challenging weather conditions. The chief minister said the CAA had achieved a milestone with the system’s installation. He expressed hope that the system would also be installed at other airports across the nation.

Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, MNAs Pervaiz Malik, Mehr Ishtiaq Ahmed, MPAs Khwaja Imran Nazir, Mian Naseer, Khwaja Ahmed Hassaan, the Civil Aviation secretary and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.

CAT-IIIB (ILS) is a ground-based system that provides approaching aircraft with precise guidance in the event of instrumental metrological conditions like low-ceiling or reduced visibility due to meteorological phenomenon including rain, fog and smog. It allows aircraft to land in 50-metre visibility.



Work on the project had commenced in June, 2015. The project has been completed at an estimated cost of $25 million. Swedish firm Safegate has executed the project.

CM departs for the UK

The chief minister departed on an official visit to the United Kingdom (UK). Speaking to newsmen before his departure, Sharif said the nation attached great importance to its ties with Great Britain. He said the UK was an important trading partner of the nation. The chief minister said his visit would further cement the already cordial ties between the states.

Sharif is scheduled to call on heads of various British institutions during his visit. He will also meet British ministers and address the UK-Pakistan Infrastructure Energy Forum. The chief minister will also interact with overseas Pakistanis based in the UK during his visit.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 29^th, 2015.