Originally Posted by SLF
don't they have Cat 3 ILS on the Aus East Coast?
Melbourne Runway 16 is the only CAT II/III capable approach in the country (currently unavailable). Even with this approach available, the alternate minima isn't lowered, so unless you are able to carry the fuel to an alternate, a CAT III approach isn't much use. West coast USA to east coast Aus + alternate means reduced payload making it commercially marginal. Operators tend to take the chance that the fog won't eventuate. Most of the time it works out for them, its a statistical game, but unfortunately sometimes you get caught. There just aren't many other options on that route, given the sector length, geometry & availability of alternates and crew duty time limitations.