U-Turn by DGCA: Pilot Fatigue Regulations Deferred

In a surprising turn of events, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has reversed its stance on implementing the revised flight duty norms for pilots, originally set to take effect from June 1. The amended Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR), released late at night on March 26, now allows airlines to maintain the existing Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules indefinitely, without specifying a deadline.

This decision follows a plea from the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), representing major carriers like IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, who urged the DGCA to postpone the June 1 deadline. The FIA highlighted the significant challenges airlines would face in complying with the new regulations, estimating a need for a substantial increase in pilot recruitment, a process requiring 8-10 months.

Furthermore, concerns were raised about potential flight cancellations during the upcoming summer season if the deadline remained unchanged. Despite earlier assurances from the DGCA regarding the implementation timeline, they have now acquiesced to the airlines’ request.

The revised rules aim to enhance pilot rest and mitigate fatigue-related risks. Weekly rests have been extended from 36 to 48 hours, allowing for better recovery from cumulative fatigue. Additionally, adjustments to night duty definitions and limitations on duty hours during nighttime flights aim to improve safety standards.

Under the new regulations, pilots are limited to a maximum duty period of eight hours and two landings per flight. Airlines are also required to submit quarterly fatigue reports, ensuring transparency and accountability in monitoring pilot well-being.

While airlines celebrate this decision as a victory, some voices express concerns over potential compromises in air safety and pilot welfare.