Airports Authority of India (AAI) Operationalises Satellite-Guided Helicopter Approach at HAL Airport

Key facts

• The HAL Airport in Bengaluru has become the first airport in India to operationalise a satellite-guided helicopter approach.
• The RNP CAT H procedure uses satellite-based navigation to guide helicopters along precise flight paths while avoiding terrain and urban obstacles.
• The approach was developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) after flight trials by HAL test pilots.
• The new approach reduces helicopter approach time to HAL Airport from about 12 minutes to approximately four minutes.
• The shorter approach is expected to reduce fuel consumption and the noise footprint over densely populated areas.
• The system is expected to improve airspace efficiency and aid time-sensitive operations such as air ambulance services, disaster response and rescue missions.
• HAL Airport handles nearly 50 helicopter movements every day.