Indigo becomes the first airline in Asia to land using the indigenous navigation system GAGAN
The Indian Airline Indigo operated by ATR 72-600 aircraft became the first airline in Asia to land aircraft using new tech and is the first-ever time in history. A trial of the same has been performed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The officials used an approach process guided by India’s own satellite-based augmentation system named GAGAN, or GPS-aided GEO Augmented Navigation.
Besides India, it was the US, Japan, and Europe used their own satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) earlier. In the US it is WAAS, in Europe it is EGNOS, and in Japan (MSAs). According to the AAI, GAGAN is the first system developed for India and the neighboring countries in the equatorial region, the ministry of civil aviation said. The Gagan System was certified by the DGCA in 2015 for Vertical Guidance Approach and N-Route operations.
A number of airports including those under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) are being surveyed for the development of GAGAN based LPV Instrument Approach Procedures so that suitably equipped aircraft can derive maximum benefit in terms of improved safety during landing, reduction in fuel consumption, reduction in delays, diversions and cancellations etc.
Read Also: Tata Sons appoints Former Turkish Airlines Chairman as Air India new CEO
GAGAN is used to provide lateral and vertical guidance as the aircraft approaches the runway for landing. Its accuracy is especially useful in smaller airports where an instrument landing system (ILS) is not installed. However, after the final approval by DGCA, the procedure will also be available for usage on commercial flights.
