The DGCA-supervised demonstration marks a major milestone in Indian aviation, showcasing precision satellite-guided landings using ISRO
June 29, 2026: In a major milestone for Indian aviation, an IndiGo Airbus A320 has successfully completed the country’s first satellite-guided landing using the indigenous GAGAN navigation system. The demonstration flight, conducted on June 27 under the supervision of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), used a Satellite-Based Landing System (SLS) approach instead of the conventional Instrument Landing System (ILS). While IndiGo had previously demonstrated the technology on its ATR turboprop fleet, this marks the first successful use on a commercial jet.
The aircraft performed a Localiser Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV) approach, allowing pilots to receive precise lateral and vertical guidance without relying on ground-based ILS infrastructure. The technology is expected to improve operational safety at airports that do not have expensive ILS equipment and also serve as a backup during ILS outages. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has already published 23 LPV procedures across airports, with plans to expand the number to more than 40 by the end of the year.
GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation), jointly developed by ISRO and AAI, enhances GPS signals by correcting navigation errors and continuously monitoring their reliability. Unlike NavIC, which independently determines location, GAGAN improves the accuracy and integrity of GPS, making it suitable for precision aviation operations. Officials believe wider adoption of GAGAN-enabled approaches will make air travel safer, improve air traffic management, and strengthen India’s aviation infrastructure.