India Conducts First Jet Aircraft GAGAN Landing

India conducted its first satellite-based landing system approach on a jet engine aircraft on 27 June 2026 at Udaipur airport. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation used an IndiGo Airbus A320 for the approach through GAGAN, which is India’s Satellite-Based Augmentation System for civil aviation.

GAGAN System

GAGAN stands for GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation. It is a Satellite-Based Augmentation System developed jointly by the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Airports Authority of India. The system provides navigation support by using geostationary satellites and ground reference stations to improve the accuracy of GPS signals.

LPV Approaches and Aviation Use

GAGAN supports Localiser Performance with Vertical Guidance approaches, which provide both horizontal and vertical guidance to aircraft. These approaches are used at airports where an Instrument Landing System is not available, especially at secondary airports. IndiGo introduced LPV operations on its ATR fleet in 2022 and later expanded SBAS-enabled operations across its wider fleet.

Regulation, Coverage and Applications

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation mandated GAGAN equipment on all aircraft registered in India after 1 July 2021. India is the first country in the Asia-Pacific region with an operational SBAS capability, and it is among a small group of countries with such a system. GAGAN provides navigation accuracy of about 3 metres for civil aviation use and supports Air Traffic Management.

Important Facts for Exams

• GAGAN is India’s Satellite-Based Augmentation System for aviation navigation.
• The system was jointly developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Airports Authority of India.
• Localiser Performance with Vertical Guidance is a precision approach procedure used in aviation.
• Aircraft registered in India after 1 July 2021 must carry GAGAN equipment.

Other Sectoral Uses

GAGAN is also relevant for transportation, railways, maritime navigation, surveying and security applications. As of 26 May 2026, the Airports Authority of India had published 23 LPV approach procedures, with a target of more than 40 by the end of 2026.