India: All Indian aircraft will soon upgrade their avionic systems to be compatible with India's own satellite-based navigation system GAGAN, to be launched later this year. If the airlines succeed in taking advantage of the GPS-aided Geo- Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) system by equipping their aircraft with matching GNSS avionics, almost $10 million worth of jet fuel will be saved annually, according to Ashok Lavasa, Civil Aviation Secretary.
A lot of fuel can be saved as the GAGAN system would help pilots navigate in all- weather conditions by an accuracy of up to three metres. It would enable the aircraft to fly on a specific path between two three-dimensional defined points, straighten routes and reduce fuel burn. Such a capability would also help in landing an aircraft in tough weather and terrain. "All aircraft need to be equipped with GNSS avionics in order to enjoy maximum benefits from the new system. With the proposed implementation of Indian indigenous regional network of satellites by India and with GAGAN becoming fully operational by the year end from en route to approach, the operators would be well-advised to embrace satellite based navigation considering its inherent benefits," said Lavasa.
Source: Economic times
