The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently approved an application by Horizon Air to use Boise Airport's new Category II (CAT II) landing minimums, which permits carrriers with the Head-up Guidance System (HGS) - known as the "fogbuster" - to land in lower visibility than previously allowed.

The new capability, complemented by HGS, affords landing with only 1,200-foot runway visibility, compared to the 1,800-foot capability required for airlines not equipped with HGS. Horizon expects that it will be able to land an average of 42 more flights a year at Boise. Horizon is leading the way for its sister company, Alaska Airlines, which has also applied for approval to use the CAT II landing minimums for its two daily nonstops to Seattle. Horizon currently operates 22 daily flights at the airport with nonstop service to Idaho Falls, Lewiston, Los Angeles, Portland, Sacramento, San Jose, Seattle and Spokane.