BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 11th January 2024: Transport Minister, Sushanta Chowdhurty today informed that the installation of the new Instrument Landing System (ILS) at MBB Airport in Agartala has been successfully completed while pending approval from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the ILS system will be operational, allowing for improved landing and take-off procedures at the airport.
In response to inquiries regarding the current status of the ILS System at MBB Airport, the minister clarified that Agartala MBB Airport operates as an IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) national airport. This means that the approach, landing, and take-off of aircraft are managed through a combination of Navigation Aids, Visual Aids, and Instrument Landing Aids.
Chowdhurty explained the significance of the ILS, stating that it serves as a crucial aid for the accurate landing of aircraft, providing both vertical and lateral guidance to pilots in various weather conditions. Currently, Agartala Airport relies on the Vertical Omni Range (VOR) and Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) systems for take-off and landing. However, the minister noted that initiatives have been taken to replace the old VOR and DME systems with the new ILS System.
“The installation of the new ILS System has already been completed, including Ground Calibration and Air Calibration conducted by the Airport Authority of India on November 27, 2023. The minister highlighted that the next steps involve the development of Instrument Procedures based on the Calibration Report. Once these procedures are established, they will be submitted to the DGCA for approval. Subsequently, landing and take-off using the ILS system will be implemented at MBB Airport following the receipt of the DGCA’s approval letter for the ILS System installation”, he said.
