IndiGo and DGCA Successfully Test New Landing Procedure at Kathmandu Airport

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and IndiGo successfully conducted a validation flight using the Required Navigation Performance with Authorization Required (RNP AR) approach at Kathmandu Airport on Wednesday.

What is RNP AR?

RNP AR approaches are a type of navigation guidance used for landing at airports with challenging terrain or environmental conditions. This approach offers several advantages, including enhanced safety through greater precision accuracy and a more stabilized approach. It also reduces operational inefficiencies and lowers the landing minima.

The Successful Flight

An IndiGo A320 aircraft completed the flight, making it the first validation flight conducted by DGCA of the RNP AR procedure. An all-women inspectors team from DGCA and the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal were on board to oversee the validation flight.

Benefits of RNP AR

The key benefits of this successful validation include increased safety in complex environments, enhanced operational efficiency, lower fuel burn, and reduced carbon footprint. Pilots must undergo specialized simulator training to operate and conduct RNP AR approaches, and the aircraft must be properly equipped for this advanced approach.

Future Implications

DGCA has called this achievement a collaborative effort between the regulator and the airline, paving the way for other operators to seek qualification and approval through the established process. This approval underlines DGCA's commitment to advancing aviation safety standards and operational excellence, ensuring safer and more efficient flights at one of the world's most demanding airports.