Char Dham helicopter operators threaten to halt services over DGCA's two-pilot rule
Helicopter operators in Uttarakhand are threatening to halt Char Dham services in protest of a new DGCA mandate requiring two pilots per charter flight. Operators argue the rule is financially unviable and ignores other safety concerns like drone activity.
Why it matters
The conflict highlights the tension between rapid regulatory safety responses following accidents and the economic sustainability of regional aviation services.
New Delhi Char Dham helicopter operators on Sunday (November 1, 2026) threatened to suspend services from November 2 after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) made it mandatory for every charter sortie to have two pilots on board, warning that the requirement would make operations financially unviable. The two-pilot mandate for Char Dham helicopter operations was introduced following the October 30 helicopter crash in Uttarakhand’s Joshimath that claimed six lives, including that of the pilot. Uttarakhand chopper crash: All six on board killed, says Chamoli District Magistrate Uttarakhand chopper crash: All six on board killed, says Chamoli District Magistrate Five pilgrims from Karnataka and pilot from Delhi killed as helicopter from Badrinath crash amid adverse weather conditions; Congress alleges government negligence and poor safety measures; govt.
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