Char Dham chopper operators threaten to suspend flights over twin-pilot rule
Helicopter operators in India are threatening to suspend services on the Char Dham route following a new DGCA mandate requiring two pilots per flight. Operators argue the rule is commercially unviable and will significantly increase operational costs.
Why it matters
This highlights the tension between implementing necessary safety regulations and the economic sustainability of niche aviation services.
NEW DELHI: Chopper operations on Char Dham routes could come to standstill from Monday. Following a chopper crashing soon after take off from Badrinath on Friday (October 30), killing all six people on board — a pilot and five passengers, the DGCA has made it mandatory for choppers operating on Char Dham to be manned by two pilots starting Monday (Nov 2), in a bid to improve safety. However chopper operators have termed the move unviable and threatened to suspend these sorties from Monday “until the matter is reviewed and a mutually workable solution is arrived at.Chopper operators on Saturday sent their “collective objection to the implementation of mandatory twin-pilot operations and intimation of suspension of operations from Nov 2, 2026,” to Directorate General of Civil Aviation chief Vir Vikram Yadav.
Also covering this story
2 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in