Rourkela: Regular flight operations from the Rourkela Airport are likely to resume soon as its control tower gets equipped with Approach Control Unit (ACU) for special visual flight rules (VFR). The aircraft can now land here at a minimum visibility of more than 1,500 metres.
Alliance Air (AA), which had suspended service of its ATR-72 aircraft to the airport from December 26, 2023, is likely to resume operations soon. Sources say, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has issued a Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) about the special VFR status of the Rourkela Airport.
The Rourkela Airport saw frequent cancellation and diversion of flights as it did not have an Instrument Landing System (ILS) for landing in low visibility conditions. The airport could only handle operations during day time with a minimum visibility of only 5,000 metres.
With the special VFR operations permit, the airport is now ready for night landing at a visibility of 1,500 metre or more. Sources say, the special VFR operation is even better compared to ILS which is expensive and allows landing only with a visibility of 550-800 metres.
It may be noted here that Sundargarh MP Jual Oram had raised the concern in the Parliament and written to the Civil Aviation Minister requesting him to equip the airport for operations in harsh weather conditions.
Keeping in view the FIH Pro League (Men & Women) 2023-24 from February 5 to 29, 2024 to be co-hosted in Rourkela, the state government has also requested AAI for the ACU for VFR. The AAI conducted a study on safety assessment and other modalities for the ACU installation and had deputed four Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs) with knowledge of VFR operations to train the ATCOs in Rourkela. The ATCOs having cleared the written and oral tests are now ready for VFR operations.
