Aeroports de Lyon is now able to ensure more flights in poor visibility conditions

The French Civil Aviation Safety Authority has authorised Lyon-Saint Exupery airport to use its two runways simultaneously, even in the event of very poor visibility, thus making both runways Category III.

Until very recently, Lyon-Saint Exupery airport had naturally been able to use its two formerly category I runways simultaneously in clear weather conditions (visibility 800 m minimum). However, until 20 December, 2010, the airport had been forced to limit its traffic to one runway only in low-visibility or no-visibility conditions (category II and III).

The situation has changed now that Aeroports de Lyon has been granted authorisation by the French Civil Aviation Safety Authority for Lyon Saint-Exupery airport to be able to take-off and land aircraft on both runways at the same time, in all visibility conditions.

This authorisation applies to properly equipped aircraft, whose crew members are trained in category II or III flight conditions. This authorisation comes after two years of upgrading the airport’s facilities and procedures, in order to ensure optimum safety.

The authorisation granted to Lyon-Saint Exupery allows the airport to significantly increase the number of aircraft landing per hour in category III conditions from 20 to 24. The introduction of simultaneous dual runway usage has another benefit. Departures and arrivals can be organised simultaneously, thus reducing the risk of late departures during busy arrival periods (hub).

Lyon-Saint Exupery joins Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport as the only other airport in France to have obtained this authorisation.