Tech: What is the ILS System that will make Noida International Airport high-tech? Here is how it will assist pilots...

On Saturday, March 28, 2026, at approximately 11:30 AM, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will conduct a walkthrough of the terminal building at the Noida International Airport in Jewar, Gautam Buddha Nagar. Subsequently, around 12:00 PM, PM Modi will inaugurate Phase I of the Noida International Airport and address a public gathering on this occasion. Following the Indira Gandhi International Airport, the Noida International Airport has now been developed as the second international airport for the Delhi-NCR region. Together, these two airports will function as an integrated aviation system, thereby reducing congestion, increasing passenger capacity, and positioning Delhi-NCR among the world's major aviation hubs.

The facility features a 3,900-meter runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft. Additionally, it is equipped with modern navigation systems—including the Instrument Landing System (ILS)—and advanced airfield lighting, which facilitate round-the-clock operations in all weather conditions. Today, we will explain to you what the ILS system is and how it assists pilots.

What is the ILS System?
According to Marigold Aviation, the Instrument Landing System (ILS) is a radio-signal-based navigation technology that guides aircraft approaching a runway for landing—particularly during conditions involving fog, rain, darkness, adverse weather, or low visibility. The ILS is a ground-based system that requires specific infrastructure at the airport as well as avionics (the electronic systems and equipment used in aircraft) installed within the aircraft itself.

How ​​Does the ILS System Work?
It comprises not just one, but several components that work in unison to safely guide an aircraft to the runway. These components include: first, the Localizer; second, the Glide Slope; third, the Marker Beacons; and fourth, the Approach Lighting System.

The Localizer provides lateral (left-to-right) guidance. The Glide Slope assists with vertical (up-and-down) guidance. The Marker Beacons indicate the distances corresponding to the outer, middle, and inner markers. Many airports now utilize Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) instead of marker beacons. As for the Approach Lighting System, this system aids in landings during periods of low visibility.

Key Highlights of the Airport
Phase I of the Noida International Airport has been constructed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model at a cost of ₹11,200 crore. Initially, the airport's passenger handling capacity will be 12 million passengers per annum. Once fully developed, this capacity can be expanded to accommodate up to 70 million passengers annually. Designed as a sustainable and future-ready infrastructure project, the Noida International Airport aims to operate as a net-zero emissions facility, featuring energy-efficient systems.

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