Char Dham helicopter operators threaten to halt services over DGCA's two-pilot rule

Char Dham helicopter operators warn of service suspension over DGCA's two-pilot rule, threatening to halt flights from November 2 following the October 30 crash in Uttarakhand’s Joshimath that claimed six lives. The two-pilot mandate, introduced in the wake of the incident, has been met with resistance from operators who argue it will make operations financially unviable.

Operators sought an urgent review of the directive, emphasizing that its introduction without consultation or assessment of commercial implications would strain existing margins. They proposed suspending Char Dham charter operations until a mutually workable solution is found. The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) has also made it mandatory for pilots to submit a report detailing weather conditions after every flight.

An activist claimed helicopter sorties were allowed despite an orange alert and a Civil Medical Officer's advice to regulate tourists, highlighting safety concerns. UCADA's CEO clarified that drone and paragliding concerns had been addressed by establishing specific flight routes, and the authority is considering actions against the Indian Army regarding drone operations.