Kolhapur: A new navigation system installed at Kolhapur airport has helped aircraft land safely and efficiently, particularly during poor weather conditions, airport officials said. The technology functions like a digital tape measure, providing pilots with the exact distance and direction to the runway during approach.The system integrates Doppler Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (DVOR) and Distance Measuring Equipment (DME). While DVOR provides pilots with the directional bearing to the airport, DME indicates the exact distance from the runway. Together, they create a defined approach path that helps pilots align smoothly with the runway centreline before landing.The system was first used by a Beechcraft Premier aircraft operating on the Pune-Kolhapur route, which landed on Runway 25 after the installation was completed on Sept 3.Until now, heavy fog, low cloud cover and monsoon conditions often forced pilots to delay landings or divert flights to alternate airports due to poor visibility. The new system eliminates much of the guesswork by giving pilots precise guidance on their approach to the runway.Airport director Anil Shinde told TOI that the technology combined multiple navigation aids to improve landing accuracy. “The first trial showed significant operational benefits, with the aircraft taking nearly half the usual time to complete its landing approach, resulting in fuel and time savings. We found that instead of taking eight minutes, the aircraft landed in about half that time, leading to both time and fuel savings,” Shinde said.Kolhapur airport currently has air connectivity with Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Mumbai, handling around 600 passengers across 10 flight operations. Meanwhile, work is on to extend the runway, which will enable the airport to accommodate larger aircraft in the future.