Patna’s Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport has reviewed its low-visibility procedures ahead of the winter fog season, coordinating with air traffic control, airlines, airport operations and the India Meteorological Department to limit flight disruption and protect passengers.
The airport held its annual fog preparedness coordination meeting on Tuesday, where stakeholders were briefed on the precautions required under Low Visibility Procedures (LVP). The meeting also examined the responsibilities of different agencies during periods of reduced visibility and the steps needed to maintain safe aircraft movements.
“The fog preparedness coordination meeting is held every year. The main points discussed this time were the precautions to be taken under low-visibility procedures and what needs to be done for passengers at the terminal,” an airport official said on Wednesday. The official said all stakeholders were briefed on the procedures and passenger-related facilities.
The Patna director of the IMD attended the meeting and shared the department’s forecast for the coming winter, including expected fog conditions. Airport authorities are using these inputs to plan operations and manpower during the low-visibility period, according to the official.
Passenger management was a key part of the preparedness review. Officials discussed the assistance and facilities to be provided inside the terminal if flights are delayed, cancelled or rescheduled because of fog. Airlines and airport stakeholders are expected to maintain timely communication with passengers and coordinate their response to reduce inconvenience.
The airport has a CAT-I Instrument Landing System on Runway 25. The system assists aircraft during precision approaches in reduced visibility. Runway Visual Range equipment also provides information on runway visibility, although flight operations remain subject to prescribed safety limits.
The review comes ahead of the period when fog can affect airport operations in north and eastern India, particularly through delays, cancellations and changes to flight schedules. The measures discussed at Patna are intended to support coordination between operational agencies while ensuring that decisions on aircraft movements continue to follow applicable safety requirements.
Airport authorities have not announced any new runway system or changes to operating limits. The immediate next steps are the deployment of planned manpower, continued coordination among stakeholders and passenger assistance during episodes of reduced visibility.
