Reducing pilots’ fatigue: DGCA denies extension for revised flight duty norms, sticks to June 1 deadline

The DGCA told the FIA that the airlines must take all requisite measures to implement the updated FDTL CAR, effective from June 1, 2024.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has announced that it will not extend the June 1 deadline for implementing the revised flight duty norms for pilots. It has asked the airlines to submit their revised schemes by April 15. This announcement comes despite repeated requests from the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), which includes Air India, SpiceJet, and IndiGo, for an extension to implement the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms issued on January 8.

The upcoming regulations, which are to come into force on June 1, include provisions for pilot rest periods and aim to mitigate pilot fatigue.

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48 hours rest period for pilots

The DGCA told the FIA that the airlines must take all requisite measures to implement the updated FDTL CAR, effective from June 1, 2024. Additionally, carriers have been asked to submit FDTL schemes aligned with the revised standards for approval by April 15.

The updated regulations extend the weekly rest period for pilots to 48 hours and impose a restriction of two landings during night operations. Furthermore, the nighttime hours for pilots will be extended to span from 0000 to 0600 hours, compared to the previous time frame of 0000 to 0500 hours. Besides this, all airlines are required to submit quarterly fatigue reports, which “should follow a non-punitive and confidentiality policy”.

“The CAR (Civil Aviation Requirement) provisions may appear either restrictive or liberal, depending on its direct impact on the viewing entity, and differing perceptions may be formed, when viewed from the eyes of either the airline operators or the pilots.

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“While perceptions may vary, DGCA is primarily concerned in ensuring safe operations and practices that are best suited to the unique operating environment prevailing in India,” the communication said.

(With PTI inputs)