DGCA mandates twin pilots for Char Dham flights

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated that all helicopters operating on Char Dham routes must be flown by two pilots starting November 2, following a crash that killed six people on October 30.

Chopper operators have objected to the rule, stating it is financially unviable and have threatened to suspend operations from November 2 until the matter is reviewed.

Operators sent a collective objection to DGCA chief Vir Vikram Yadav, stating that the additional costs of twin-pilot operations cannot be absorbed by the industry given current commercial structures and limited margins.

Operators emphasized that they have consistently followed DGCA regulations and invested in safe operations in the Himalayan region, but the new requirement is not commercially sustainable without stakeholder consultation.

The operators have called on DGCA and Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) to reconsider the rule and explore alternative solutions that balance safety and commercial viability.

Operators remain committed to safety and regulatory compliance but argue that the current rule lacks practicality and proportionality for the region’s helicopter services.