Char Dham Charter Helicopters Halted Over Two-Pilot Rule

This page is part of our Char Dham Yatra Places and Route Map guide. Planning the yatra? See our Char Dham yatra packages.

What was announced?

After a helicopter crashed near Jyotirmath in Chamoli district on 30 October 2026, killing six people, the DGCA made a co-pilot compulsory on Char Dham helicopter flights, ANI and ETV Bharat reported on 2 November. The operators who fly charters from Sahastradhara wrote that they would suspend their Char Dham charter operations from 2 November until the matter is resolved. They say a second pilot on every flight is not workable at current charter rates, and, according to ETV Bharat, that only about 70 hill-qualified pilots are available against a need of more than 110.

Uttarakhand’s Civil Aviation Secretary, Vinay Shankar Pandey, confirmed the suspension, and no date for resuming services was given (ANI, ETV Bharat, 2 November). On 3 November, Amar Ujala reported that the operators had met DGCA and UCADA officials but did not agree to fly under the new rule, so chartered services are expected to run again only next season. UCADA’s chief executive, Pratik Jain, told the paper that charter operations will follow whatever guidelines the DGCA issues.

What does it mean for yatris?

• The reports are about charter flights from Sahastradhara (Dehradun) to the dhams.
• Kedarnath shuttle flights from the Sersi, Phata and Guptkashi helipads are not affected and keep running, District Tourism Officer Rahul Chaubey told ETV Bharat on 2 November. See our update: Kedarnath shuttle helicopters still flying.
• The season ends soon: Gangotri closes on 10 November, Kedarnath and Yamunotri on 11 November, and Badrinath on 16 November.

What should you do now?

• If you hold a charter booking: ask your operator for the flight status and its refund terms in writing.
• Switch to the road route if you still want darshan this season: road Char Dham and Do Dham yatras start from Haridwar. Allow extra days, as the drive and the Kedarnath trek take far longer than a flight.
• Book only through official channels or the operator directly, and be careful with anyone offering seats while services are stopped.
• After the closings: darshan continues at the winter seats, explained in Winter Char Dham Darshan 2026-27.

For how helicopter booking normally works, read our Kedarnath helicopter booking guide. You can also see our Char Dham yatra packages.

Related guides and yatras

• Kedarnath helicopter safety – rules and safety tips for helicopter yatris
• Do Dham Yatra by road from Haridwar – Kedarnath and Badrinath without a charter
• Char Dham Yatra from Haridwar – all four dhams by road
• Char Dham helicopter yatra guide – how the charter works, helipads, weight limits and weather rules
• Char Dham opening and closing dates – when the dhams reopen in 2027
• Snow at Kedarnath and the IMD forecast – weather for a late-season road yatra

Frequently asked questions

Which helicopter flights have stopped?

Charter flights from the Sahastradhara helidrome in Dehradun to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri stopped from 2 November 2026. Kedarnath shuttle flights from Sersi, Phata and Guptkashi are not affected and keep running.

Why did the operators stop flying?

After a helicopter crash near Jyotirmath on 30 October 2026 that killed six people, the DGCA made a co-pilot compulsory on Char Dham flights. The operators say a second pilot on every flight is not workable at current charter rates, and ETV Bharat reported that only about 70 hill-qualified pilots are available against a need of more than 110.

When will charter flights start again?

No date was given when the halt was confirmed on 2 November. On 3 November Amar Ujala reported that services are expected only next season, and UCADA’s chief executive Pratik Jain said charter operations will follow whatever guidelines the DGCA issues. When we checked on 6 November 2026, we found no report of services resuming.

What should I do if I have a charter booking?

Ask your operator in writing for the flight status and its refund terms. Book only through official channels or the operator directly, and be careful with anyone offering seats while services are stopped.

Can I still do the Char Dham this season by road?

Yes, for a few more days. Road Char Dham and Do Dham yatras start from Haridwar; Gangotri closes on 10 November, Kedarnath and Yamunotri on 11 November, and Badrinath on 16 November. Allow extra days, as the drive and the Kedarnath trek take far longer than a flight.