Aviation officials at Delhi airport faced a challenging week when a crane, employed for expressway construction, interfered with the signals of the instrument landing system (ILS). This disruption, near runway 11R, led to over 100 flight delays and diversions amid unfavorable weather conditions. Disturbingly, the interference caused deviations in aircraft landings, emphasizing safety concerns among airport and Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials. The ILS, crucial for navigation during poor visibility, should prompt immediate action when disturbances occur, experts noted. A meeting involving AAI, Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), and National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) resolved the issue by removing the crane and implementing new standard operating procedures (SOPs). These SOPs restrict crane operations during specified hours, ensuring passenger safety and preventing a recurrence of such incidents.
