HAL Airport Becomes India's First to Adopt RNP CAT H Helicopter Approach
HAL airport in Bengaluru has operationalised the RNP CAT H helicopter approach, a satellite-guided precision system that reduces approach time and boosts safety.
The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) airport in Bengaluru has become the first airport in the country to operationalise the Required Navigation Performance – Category H (RNP CAT H) helicopter approach procedure, a satellite-guided precision navigation system built exclusively for helicopters.
The procedure was developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), validated through flight trials conducted by HAL test pilots, and approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). It allows helicopters to fly highly accurate, optimised paths, enabling all-weather access while safely navigating terrain and urban obstacles. The approach reduces the time taken to reach HAL airport from 12 minutes to about four minutes.
"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," said Ravi K., CMD, HAL.
The system is expected to improve operational efficiency and airspace capacity, support seamless integration of rotary and fixed-wing operations, reduce the noise footprint over cities, and provide faster, safer routes for critical missions such as air ambulance and rescue operations.
Although HAL airport ceased commercial operations in 2008 after the opening of Kempegowda International Airport, it continues to be used for military flight testing and charter flights. The airport handles nearly 50 helicopter movements every day. With the new procedure in place, HAL said it has closed a long-standing gap in India's aviation infrastructure and paved the way for safer, smarter helicopter operations.