The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) airport in Bengaluru has become the first airport in India to operationalise the Required Navigation Performance – Category H (RNP CAT H) helicopter approach procedure. This satellite-guided precision navigation system is designed exclusively for helicopters and allows them to fly highly accurate optimised paths, enabling all-weather access while safely navigating terrain and urban obstacles. Developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), validated through flight trials by HAL test pilots, and approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), this approach reduces the approach time to HAL airport from 12 minutes to about four minutes.
According to Ravi K., CMD, HAL, this capability enhances the safety, efficiency, and accessibility of helicopter operations, and establishes a benchmark for similar procedures to be implemented in airports across the country. The RNP CAT H helicopter approach procedure enhances operational efficiency and airspace capacity, enables seamless integration of rotary and fixed-wing operations, reduces noise footprint over cities, and provides faster, safer routes for critical missions such as air ambulance and rescue operations. HAL airport handles nearly 50 helicopter movements every day, and with this launch, the company has closed a long-standing gap in India’s aviation infrastructure, paving the way for safer, smarter helicopter operations.
Although the HAL airport stopped commercial operations in 2008 following the opening of the Kempegowda International Airport, it continues to be used for military flight testing and charter flight operations.
