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Delhi based low-cost airline, IndiGo implemented an Advanced Navigation technology which enhances safety and efficiency of flights to Kathmandu. IndiGo’s adoption of the Required Navigation Performance Authorization Required (RNP AR) procedure for all flights into Kathmandu significantly enhances safety. The airline currently operates 28 weekly flights between India and Kathmandu.
IndiGo successfully operated the validation flight today, following clearance received, in line with the provisional approval by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Indian aviation watchdog.
In a statement the airline said that it launched RNP AR to enable pilots to navigate the complex terrain surrounding the airport in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu with precision.
This implementation of this technological advancement represents a major step forward in aviation safety and efficiency for Kathmandu landings. The RNP AR technology is specifically engineered for airports in geographically challenging and high altitude regions, such as Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM).
“With the airport surrounded by the Himalayas, landing in Kathmandu has traditionally been a challenge for pilots, particularly during adverse weather conditions. The implementation of the RNP AR system enables aircraft to adhere to predetermined flight paths with remarkable accuracy, effectively mitigating the risks posed by the mountainous landscape,” the airline said in a statement.
The statement says, “This advanced navigation capability supports continuous descent approaches, optimizing airspace usage, reducing fuel consumption, and minimizing emissions.”
“The introduction of these new RNP AR procedures at Kathmandu Airport provides several strategic advantages for airlines operating in this region including enhanced airport accessibility, lower approach minimal and fewer weather-related diversions significantly improving airport accessibility, apart from increased safety and flight stability, fully managed guidance in both lateral and vertical dimensions using flight director and/or autopilot for enhanced flight safety and stability.”
The statement adds, “In addition it will help optimize airspace utilization, provide predictable and repeatable flight paths, optimize airspace management, contributing to more efficient operations, apart from reducing fuel consumption, providing shorter and more direct flight procedures, along with optimized vertical paths which will result in lower fuel consumption and reduced environmental impact.”
Putting the issue in perspective Captain P. P. Singh, previous Head of Training and Examiner on the Airbus A330 for Nepal Airlines in 2019 when the RNP approval was received, said that the RNP approach for Runway 02 at Kathmandu was first published in 2012. “Airlines operating to Kathmandu airport need to obtain operational approval from their national regulator to conduct this approach, which has specific requirements in terms of pilot training and on-board equipment. Various airlines adopted the new procedure in due course, with Nepal Airlines receiving authorization in 2019. Subsequently, another procedure was introduced in 2022 for Runway 20 as well,” he said adding that foreign carriers such as Turkish Airlines were early adopters, with Indian carriers lagging behind.
The Captain points out that using this approach permits operations in lower visibility than conventional approaches, and makes it simpler for pilots to fly the procedure. “From the airlines’ perspective, there is a significant requirement for initial and recurring training to keep the pilots qualified which is normally limited to a small set of flight crews due to the cost and complexity involved,” he says.
He is of the opinion that IndiGo will benefit from lower visibility minimals which will improve reliability of operations and on-time performance, besides preventing as many diversions. Also, when properly executed, there is a fuel saving over the conventional procedures although the flight path is slightly longer.
Kathmandu airport has seen several crashes in the last few years. In July this year, a Saurya Airlines flight skidded off the runway while taking off from the Tribhuvan International Airport at Kathmandu killing 18. It is estimated that Nepal has seen over 350 people dying in air crashes since 2000.
In 2015 a Turkish Airways aircraft crash landed at the airport.
Since the Turkish airline’s aircraft could not be removed it was cut up and moved from the runway to a site some distance away where it was reassembled to set up an aircraft museum
