Hyderabad airport upgrades to CAT III capability on Runway 09R to reduce winter fog-related flight delays

HYDERABAD Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) has upgraded the lighting system on Runway 09R to Category III (CAT III) standards, allowing aircraft to operate in much lower visibility conditions. The upgrade is expected to help the airport handle winter fog better and minimise weather-related flight disruptions.

Moving from CAT II to CAT III capability will help reduce flight diversions and delays, improve schedule reliability and ensure smoother operations during poor visibility, airport authorities said. “Aligned with the airport’s vision of leveraging advanced infrastructure and technology, the enhancement enables safe and efficient operations during extremely low visibility conditions, reducing weather-related disruptions and improving schedule reliability.

For passengers, this means fewer delays, smoother journeys, and a more dependable travel experience”, said Kadhir Kadhiravan, CEO of the GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited.