From January 2019, planes that are imported should be suitably equipped with indigenous navigation system GAGAN, according to aviation regulator DGCA.
The GPS-Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) system was was officially launched in July 2015.
The national civil aviation policy requires all aircraft being registered in India from January 1, 2019 to mandatorily be GAGAN enabled.
In tune with it, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has said, "aircraft being imported for registration on or after January 1, 2019 shall be suitably equipped with GAGAN equipment".
The watchdog has included this provision in a new air transport circular on procedure for obtaining permission for import/ acquisition of aircraft.
GAGAN uses a system of ground stations to provide augmentations to the GPS standard positioning service navigation signal.
According to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), GAGAN is designed to provide the additional accuracy, availability, and integrity necessary to enable users to rely on GPS for all phases of a flight.
GAGAN would provide benefits beyond aviation to all modes of transportation, including maritime, highways, and railways, as per AAI website.
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