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Satellite Based Navigation RNP-AR installed at GBIA as India forbids use of ILS; the airport now can operate in minimum visibility up-to 800 meters

With the implementation of RNP-AR, small aircraft can now land with 800 meters of visibility, while larger aircraft will require 900 meters.

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Nepal Airlines Gautam Buddha International Airport - Aviation in Nepal
Nepal Airlines Gautam Buddha International Airport - Aviation in Nepal

After India declined approval for the operation of an already installed Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the newly constructed Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) in Bhairahawa, authorities implemented the Required Navigation Performance-Authorization Required (RNP-AR) system. This satellite-based navigation system allows flights to operate even in low-visibility conditions, significantly reducing disruptions caused by poor weather.

The Required Navigation Performance–Authorization Required (RNP-AR) system is now operational at Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) in Bhairahawa.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has approved flights and landings under this system, allowing authorized pilots and aircraft to operate starting this week.

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Previously, flights at GBIA relied on visual landing procedures, requiring a minimum visibility of 1,800 meters. With the implementation of RNP-AR, small aircraft can now land with 800 meters of visibility, while larger aircraft will require 900 meters, according to CAAN spokesperson Gyanendra Bhul.

However, special permission is required for operations under RNP-AR. Aircraft must be equipped with the necessary technology, and pilots need specialized training to use the system. Bhul noted that while the system is gradually being introduced, full implementation may take some time.

Initially, GBIA had planned to install an ILS to address visibility challenges. However, due to India’s refusal to grant approval, the plan was abandoned, and the RNP-AR system was adopted as an alternative.

GBIA frequently experiences severe visibility issues, particularly during the winter months of December, January, and February, when dense fog disrupts both domestic and international flights. According to General Manager Pratap Babu Tiwari, the RNP-AR system mitigates these challenges by enabling aircraft to land safely in lower visibility conditions.

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Previously, aircraft required a minimum visibility of 1,800 meters to land using the Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) system. With RNP-AR, landings can now be conducted with just 900 meters of visibility, improving operational efficiency.

Several international airlines, including Qatar Airways, Thai AirAsia, Fly Dubai, and Jazeera Airways, had suspended operations at GBIA due to poor visibility. However, with the introduction of RNP-AR, these airlines are expected to resume services.

The RNP-AR system has already been successfully implemented at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, where it enables landings with a minimum visibility of 1,100 meters. Following a mandatory 42-day notification period, the system was officially activated at GBIA last Thursday.

Despite the system being operational, foreign airlines must obtain approval from their respective aviation authorities and train their pilots before utilizing RNP-AR at GBIA. So far, Fly Dubai has expressed interest in adopting the system.

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Designed for both narrow-body (A320) and wide-body (A330) aircraft, the RNP-AR system requires airlines to equip their planes with the necessary technology and provide additional pilot training to ensure safe operation.

What is RNP-AR?

Pilots generally use two methods for flying and landing: visual observation and instrument guidance. The visual method, known as VFR (Visual Flight Rules), relies on direct visibility, while the instrument-based method, IFR (Instrument Flight Rules), uses navigation systems to guide the aircraft.

Within IFR, there are two types of approaches: the Conventional Approach and the Precision Approach. The Precision Approach provides both lateral and vertical guidance, whereas the Conventional Approach offers only lateral guidance. According to Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Information Officer Gyanendra Bhul, the system being implemented at Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) is a Semi-Precision Approach, incorporating elements of both conventional and precision approaches.

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In Kathmandu, the minimum visibility requirement for this system is 1,100 meters. However, with the RNP-AR system, landings can be conducted with visibility as low as 550 meters, significantly improving operational efficiency in poor weather conditions.

CAAN also stated that implementing RNP-AR has not incurred additional costs, as it is a satellite-based system that does not require ground-based equipment, making it a cost-effective solution. The decision to adopt RNP-AR came after India denied permission to install the IFR system at GBIA.

Given Bhairahawa Airport’s proximity to the Indian border and Kushinagar Airport in India, air traffic in the region could be affected by cross-border coordination. Additionally, security concerns related to nearby Indian military camps and airbases have contributed to India’s reluctance to cooperate in GBIA’s operations. India has also been limiting China’s influence in Nepal by withholding support for Chinese-funded projects in the region.

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