IndiGo becomes first airline to land aircraft using Indian navigation system GAGAN

For the first time in the history of the Indian aviation industry, IndiGo became the first airline in the country to land aircraft using the indigenous navigation system GAGAN. India is the first country in Asia Pacific Region to achieve this.

The flight was conducted using an ATR-72 aircraft and landed at the Kishangarh airport in Rajasthan on Wednesday morning, using GPS-aided geo-augmented navigation (GAGAN), according to a statement issued on Thursday.

For the first time in the history of the Indian aviation industry, IndiGo has successfully completed an LPV (Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance) approach on its ATR aircraft using the indigenous Gagan Satellite to land at @aaiksgairport , Rajasthan. @DGCAIndia pic.twitter.com/oiDY4gBbD1

— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) April 28, 2022

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What is GAGAN?

GAGAN has been jointly developed by the Centre-run Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the statement issued by IndiGo said.

It is used to provide lateral and vertical guidance when an aircraft is approaching a runway for landing. Its precision is especially useful at small airports where the instrument landing system (ILS) has not been installed.

"In India's civil aviation sector, GAGAN will modernise the airspace, reduce flight delays, save fuel and improve flight safety," the statement said.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a mandate for all aircraft registered in India after July 1, 2021 to be fitted with GAGAN equipment, it added.

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