Char Dham Heli-Services May Halt Over Twin-Pilot Mandate
Helicopter operators on the Char Dham route may suspend services from Nov 2, opposing DGCA's mandatory twin-pilot rule.
The pilgrimage to the sacred Char Dham shrines could face a major logistical blow as helicopter operators have threatened to suspend all charter flight operations starting November 2. This decision comes after a heated standoff with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) over a new safety mandate requiring two pilots for every flight.
The Spark: A Safety Directive After Tragedy
The DGCA's decision to make twin-pilot operations mandatory was triggered by a tragic aviation accident. A helicopter crash on the route from Badrinath to Dehradun resulted in the deaths of six people, including the pilot. In a bid to tighten safety protocols and prevent future mishaps in the treacherous Himalayan terrain, the aviation regulator stepped in with the new requirement.
Operators Cry Foul: 'Commercially Unviable'
While the operators acknowledge the need for high safety standards, they argue that the DGCA acted unilaterally. In a joint representation submitted to the Director General of Civil Aviation on October 31, the companies expressed serious reservations, claiming that the rule was introduced without consulting the stakeholders who actually fly these routes.
The operators maintain that enforcing this rule would make their business financially impossible to sustain. According to their letter, the mandatory deployment of two pilots for every charter sortie would lead to a massive spike in:
- Operating Costs: Higher salaries and crew management expenses.
- Logistics: Increased costs for accommodation and transport for additional crew members.
- Operational Commitments: Greater complexity in scheduling and crew rotation.
"Given the existing commercial structure, prevailing charter rates and limited operational margins, these additional costs cannot be reasonably absorbed by the operators. Nor is it commercially feasible to pass on the entire additional burden to customers," the operators stated in their joint communication.
The Demand for a Pragmatic Solution
The aviation companies have emphasized that safety measures must be "practical, proportionate, and commercially sustainable." They argue that while safety is paramount, the current form of the twin-pilot requirement is simply not workable in the high-altitude terrain of the Char Dham circuit.
The Ultimatum
Refusing to accept the mandate in its current form, the collective of operators has formally notified the regulator of their intent to halt services. They have proposed the suspension of all Char Dham charter operations effective November 2, 2026, stating that flights will remain grounded until the authorities review the matter and reach a mutually agreeable solution through consultation.