The current ILS setup at Krakow-Balice supports safe approaches, but terrain constraints and category limits mean dense fog can still force holds or diversions.
How the ILS System Works
ILS guides aircraft along the runway centerline and glide path using the localizer, glideslope, and approach lighting. Higher ILS categories reduce decision altitude and RVR minima, enabling approaches in poorer visibility when all components are fully available.
Key pieces
- Localizer for lateral guidance to keep the aircraft on the centerline.
- Glideslope for vertical guidance, typically around a 3° path.
- Approach and centerline lighting to give pilots visual cues near decision altitude.
ILS Limitations at Krakow Airport
Krakow’s basin geography and nearby obstacles constrain achievable ILS categories and lighting layouts. During maintenance or reduced ILS availability, required minima rise, shrinking the weather window for safe approaches.
What this means in practice
- Higher RVR minima than at airports with full CAT II/III capability.
- Earlier activation of Low Visibility Procedures and capacity cuts.
- Greater likelihood of diversion when fog lingers near minima.
Why Fog Causes Diversions with the Current ILS Setup
When fog pushes RVR below local minima, crews must go around or divert. Checking is there fog in Krakow and Krakow Airport visibility helps forecast risk. Understanding local terrain factors in fog at Krakow Airport and patterns from fog and flight diversions in Krakow explains why Katowice often becomes the alternate.
What crews evaluate
- Current RVR/ceiling vs. published minima and trend.
- ILS/lighting status and any NOTAM restrictions.
- Fuel, holding time, and alternate availability.
Check the live Krakow flight status for real-time departures, arrivals, and fog-related advisories.