As winter fog tightens its grip on Dhaka, flight diversions from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport have once again become a regular occurrence, disrupting schedules, straining airline operations and causing widespread passenger suffering. ILS Category II permits safe landings with visibility between 500 and 750 metres. Why Dhaka was downgradedAccording to airport and aviation officials, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport previously had ILS Category II capability. To maintain Category II status, three key conditions must be met simultaneously:The ILS equipment itself must be certified to Category II standards. Chittagong and Sylhet are common domestic alternatives, while Kolkata is frequently used for international flights due to its proximity and infrastructure.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 03, 2026 21:02 UTC