Kolhapur Airport currently offers air services to major cities including Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. It facilitates approximately 600 passengers through 10 flight operations each day, enhancing regional connectivity and accessibility for travelers.
Kolhapur: A new navigation system installed at Kolhapur airport has helped aircraft land safely and efficiently, particularly during poor weather conditions, airport officials said. Airport director Anil Shinde told TOI that the technology combined multiple navigation aids to improve landing accuracy. We found that instead of taking eight minutes, the aircraft landed in about half that time, leading to both time and fuel savings,” Shinde said.
The technology functions like a digital tape measure, providing pilots with the exact distance and direction to the runway during approach. “The first trial showed significant operational benefits, with the aircraft taking nearly half the usual time to complete its landing approach, resulting in fuel and time savings.
The system was first used by a Beechcraft Premier aircraft operating on the Pune-Kolhapur route, which landed on Runway 25 after the installation was completed on Sept 3. Until now, heavy fog, low cloud cover and monsoon conditions often forced pilots to delay landings or divert flights to alternate airports due to poor visibility. The system integrates Doppler Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (DVOR) and Distance Measuring Equipment (DME). DME indicates the exact distance from the runway While DVOR provides pilots with the directional bearing to the airport. Together, they create a defined approach path that helps pilots align smoothly with the runway centreline before landing. The new system eliminates much of the guesswork by giving pilots precise guidance on their approach to the runway.
Kolhapur airport currently has air connectivity with Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Mumbai, handling around 600 passengers across 10 flight operations. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolhapur | Silver Rate in Kolhapur | Bank Holidays in Kolhapur | Public Holidays in Kolhapur Stay updated with the latest Kolhapur news. Meanwhile, work is on to extend the runway, which will enable the airport to accommodate larger aircraft in the future. Download the TOI App.