India helicopter operators threaten strike over new pilot mandate

Helicopter operators in Uttarakhand have threatened to suspend Char Dham charter services starting November 2 in protest against new safety regulations. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) have mandated that all flights in the Char Dham sector must now deploy two pilots, including a co-pilot qualified for hilly terrain.

The decision follows a helicopter crash near Joshimath on October 30 that resulted in six fatalities. In addition to the dual-pilot requirement, new rules require operators to obtain clearance from the Sahastradhara Control Room in Dehradun for every flight leg and mandate that crew members submit a Pilot Report (PIREP) after every landing.

Eleven of the thirteen charter operators have formally opposed the mandate, arguing that the requirement was implemented without adequate consultation. The operators stated that the increased costs for crew, accommodation, and logistics would make services financially unviable, as the additional expenses cannot be absorbed by current margins or passed on to customers. They have called for a review to find a solution that is both safe and commercially sustainable.