Char Dham Yatra: Given the seriousness of the four helicopter accidents that took place in Uttarakhand from May 8 to June 7, the aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken strict steps on Monday. The services of Kestrel Aviation, one of the 9 aviation companies providing helicopter services to the devotees in Uttarakhand’s Char Dham Yatra 2025, have been banned with immediate effect.
Also, the companies providing helicopter services for the Char Dham Yatra will no longer be able to take off as per their wish. Their flights have been reduced by up to 35 percent. A DGCA official said that this reduction in flights has been imposed on aviation companies providing helicopter services for Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri. There has been a cap on reducing flights by 25 to 35 percent. Helicopter services for Kedarnath have been reduced the most.
Earlier on Monday, DGCA said it has introduced surprise audits and enhanced surveillance of helicopter operations in Uttarakhand following “multiple” incidents involving choppers used by pilgrims during the Char Dham Yatra.
“The DGCA has a zero-tolerance policy for safety violations. Operations of M/s Kestrel Aviation Pvt Ltd in Uttarakhand have been suspended pending investigation. This follows the suspension of another operator in May 2025,” it said.
The regulator added that it has also launched special audits and instructed operators to fly only under Out of Ground Effect (OGE) conditions, which are considered safer for takeoff and landing in high-altitude zones.
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