Uttarakhand’s Char Dham helicopter charters face a potential shutdown as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) mandated a two-pilot configuration for all flights beginning November 2, 2026. The directive, issued after an October 31 online meeting, follows a recent crash in the state and aims to tighten safety protocols.
Operators rejected the move. In a collective representation dated October 31, they argued that forcing twin-pilot crews would destroy commercial viability. "The additional financial burden... could make helicopter charter operations commercially unviable," the operators stated. They cited skyrocketing crew, accommodation, and logistical costs that they cannot pass on to pilgrims without killing demand.
The DGCA’s order goes beyond just crewing. It requires operators to obtain destination and en-route clearances from the Sahastradhara Control Room before every take-off, regardless of the sector. Pilots must also submit Pilot Reports (PIREPs) after landing each sector. The Head of Operations at the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) will manage these records.
This standoff puts the upcoming pilgrimage season at risk. Operators maintain that safety measures must be "practical, proportionate and developed in consultation with industry stakeholders." They have urged the DGCA and UCADA to intervene and negotiate a workable solution before the November 2 deadline.
Without a quick resolution, millions of devotees may lose their primary access to the Himalayan shrines. Negotiations are expected to intensify in the coming days as both sides weigh safety mandates against operational realities.