Overview
- GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL) commissioned Category III airfield ground lighting (AGL) for Runway 09R on Tuesday, moving the runway from CAT II to CAT III capability to allow operations in much lower visibility.
- The installation includes CAT III‑compliant runway lights, Stand Manoeuvring Guidance Lights (SMGL), advanced monitoring systems and an indigenously developed PLC‑SCADA solution to enable centralised control from the Airport Predictive Operation Centre (APOC).
- Airport officials say the change should reduce winter fog‑related flight diversions and delays and improve schedule reliability, which would make travel more predictable for passengers and help airlines maintain operational continuity.
- The upgrade responds to past weather disruptions — including months when shallow radiation fog can cut visibility to about 75 metres — but the airport’s claims are based on its press release and reporting from local outlets.
- Hyderabad handles roughly 550 flight movements a day, so fewer fog‑related interruptions could ease wider network knock‑on effects and advance the airport’s plan to become an all‑weather aviation hub, although independent post‑commissioning data are not yet available.