The notion that "thick fog on the tarmac inevitably leads to widespread delays" is gradually being redefined. Starting October 31, 2025, Tianfu Airport officially lowered its minimum takeoff standard from RVR 200/250 meters to RVR 150/200 meters. This 50-meter improvement marks the airport’s operational capabilities and service quality entering the top tier in China, representing a major breakthrough in flight punctuality.
**Strategic Shift: From Passive Handling to Active Resolution** Progress stems from reflection. On January 19, 2025, Tianfu Airport encountered its first heavy fog since opening, with RVR dropping below 200 meters. Under the previous standard, all flights were grounded, leading to massive delays and stranded passengers, prompting the airport to activate its large-scale flight delay response mechanism.
After this incident, the airport’s operations team critically assessed the situation: "Since our facilities already meet the requirements for a 150-meter takeoff standard, why not proactively seek an upgrade?" The team compiled a detailed report with robust data and a rigorous plan, submitting it to aviation authorities. Thanks to their professional evaluation and thorough preparation, Tianfu Airport successfully secured approval for the 150-meter low-visibility takeoff standard, becoming the first airport in Southwest China with this capability.
**Operational Refinement: From Individual Qualification to Collaborative Application** On November 24, the airport faced its first major fog test under the new standard. During the morning peak, RVR across all three runways fluctuated between 100 and 200 meters for nearly an hour. Despite 25 flights being technically eligible for takeoff, only one managed to depart.
Why didn’t the new standard deliver results? With support from regulators, Tianfu Airport adopted a problem-solving approach, collaborating with air traffic control and airlines to identify gaps in transitioning from "qualification approval" to "operational execution." The solution required establishing a new multilateral coordination mechanism and support system.
Within 72 hours, the airport, air traffic control, and airlines jointly developed a standardized operating procedure (SOP) covering crew qualification verification, real-time communication, and ground handling priorities. This transformed the new standard’s framework from "existing" to "optimized."
**Value Realized: From Leading Standard to Leading Efficiency** Three days later, on November 27, a more severe test arrived. From 5:00 AM to 10:00 AM, RVR across the runways fluctuated sharply between 125 and 200 meters. This time, preparations were complete.
Through dynamic coordination with air traffic control and airlines, Tianfu Airport swiftly identified eligible flights and implemented a meticulous support plan. By 10:40 AM, despite RVR remaining unstable below 200 meters, all 45 scheduled flights successfully took off under the new standard, ensuring smooth travel for approximately 7,000 passengers and averting widespread disruptions.
The leap from "1 flight" to "45 flights" reflects the aviation industry’s precision in collaboration, turning a "leading standard on paper" into "leading efficiency in practice."
Tianfu Airport’s successful implementation of the RVR 150/200-meter takeoff standard represents not only a technical breakthrough but also an innovation in operational philosophy. The airport recognizes that modern aviation efficiency demands proactive efforts to build highly coordinated systems, unlocking maximum operational potential.
Aiming to become a "world-class, globally leading aviation hub," Tianfu Airport continues to harness industry expertise to enhance operational reliability, ensuring safer, more efficient, and seamless travel for passengers.