Laser lights a major concern for safety at IGI Airport

NEW DELHI:It’s an alarming situation for Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), Delhi, flights as the laser lights which are flashed during night in marriage and other parties hosted by people in the vicinity is bothering the pilots and could cause a major accident if it is not stopped at once, said an airport official.

Prateek Chauhan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 21

It’s an alarming situation for Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), Delhi, flights as the laser lights which are flashed during night in marriage and other parties hosted by people in the vicinity is bothering the pilots and could cause a major accident if it is not stopped at once, said an airport official.

As during flying and landing it falls directly on the pilots’ eyes, which causes problem in aircrafts operation. And there is always a probability of major accident.

In spite of ban, for the past four months, pilots of different aircrafts reported, at least, half a dozen of such incidents to the Air traffic control (ATC). Despite the direction from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, no control has been coming up on this, according to senior ATC official D K Bhera.

During night hours, for right direction and landing on proper place signals are given through light to the pilots.

This way the falling of laser light on the eyes of the pilots disturb them.

In view of the safety of aeroplanes on the directions of the ministry, a ban has been imposed on the use of laser lights in the nearby areas of the international airport.

In spite of this, in farm houses, hotels and banquet halls, during marriages and other functions, laser lights are being used.

On April 9, the Go Air flight (G8-175) was coming from Lucknow to Delhi. The plane was to land on runway No. 27. The flight was 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) away from the airport when the pilot, Sandeep Sinha, saw the laser light. The light fell directly on his eyes. At the time of incident the aircraft was on 1500-ft height. The pilot got disturbed by the laser light and gave this information to the ATC and Airport Control Room.

According to aviation experts, it is very dangerous situation. Pilots’ attention may deviate due to this.

While landing and takeoff time the speed of the aircraft is maintained at 300 nautical miles or more.

Therefore, due to disturbance by laser lights could lead to a major accident. The police and agencies concern should take stern action and put rein on the use of laser lights in the surrounding areas.