DGCA conducts first satellite-based landing system approach on jet aircraft in India using GAGAN

India marked a new aviation navigation milestone as the DGCA conducted its first satellite-based landing system (SLS) approach on a jet aircraft using GAGAN. Officials said an IndiGo Airbus A320 successfully executed an LPV (Localiser Performance with Vertical Guidance) approach at Udaipur airport, demonstrating satellite-based precision landing. The system relies on GAGAN—GPS-aided geo augmented navigation—jointly developed by ISRO and AAI. The exercise extends satellite-enabled landing procedures beyond India’s previous focus on turboprop aircraft. SLS works by using satellite-delivered corrections, reducing dependence on ground-based Instrument Landing Systems, particularly at airports lacking costly precision landing infrastructure. IndiGo had already introduced LPV operations on its ATR fleet in 2022 and expanded SBAS-enabled navigation across its fleet. DGCA officials said GAGAN is expected to improve safety and efficiency at secondary airports, placing India in a select group with indigenous SBAS capability.