Jharsuguda: Instrument Landing System (ILS) will become functional at the Veer Surendra Sai Airport in Odisha’s Jharsuguda by December, said airport's director Sudesh Kumar Chouhan.

Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of an event at Sambalpur IIM yesterday, Chouhan further said that the number of parking lots at the airport will be increased to six from the existing two.

The official also informed that flight services between Jharsuguda and Bengaluru will start this winter season. An 198-seater Boeing-737 aircraft of SpiceJet airlines will commence flight service from the airport to Bengaluru on October 27, he added.

Initially, Jharsuguda Airport was only meant for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations. Since the city witnesses low visibility and bad weather during most part of the year, this leads to delays and cancellation of scheduled flights.

With new navigational facilities, the airport will become an all-weather airport and will enhance connectivity. This will ensure more regular service which will benefit both airlines and passengers.

Notably, ILS is a precision landing aid which is used to provide accurate azimuth and descent guidance signals to aircraft for landing on the runway under normal or adverse weather conditions.