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India: IndiGo and Air India, India’s largest airlines, have formally requested that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) postpone the implementation of planned pilot duty and rest requirements due to severe operational issues.
In a letter dated December 4, 2024, IndiGo expressed its concerns about the DGCA’s planned amendments.
IndiGo opposed expanding the night duty hours from 12 AM – 5 AM to 12 AM – 6 AM, citing “severe operational impact.”
Phased Implementation: The airline recommended a progressive increase in weekly rest periods, with an initial extension to 40 hours by June 2025 and additional consideration for a full increase to 48 hours by 2026.
Night Landings: IndiGo said that starting in October 2026, it will be able to restrict landings to two between 12 AM and 5 AM, provided that flight duty is available for the entire duration.
Air India has also communicated its concerns to the DGCA, aligning with IndiGo in opposing the redefinition of night duty hours.
Operational Impact: According to the airline, if the proposed changes were put into effect right at once, there could be flight cancellations and interruptions because they would require a 3–10% increase in staff strength.
DGCA’s Proposed Changes
The DGCA’s new regulations aim to improve flight safety by addressing pilot weariness. They include:
Rest Periods: Increasing weekly rest for pilots from 36 to 48 hours.
Night Duty Window: Extending the night duty period by an hour, from 12 AM – 5 AM to 12 AM – 6 AM
Fatigue Reporting: Requiring airlines to submit quarterly fatigue management reports.
The DGCA had planned to enforce these restrictions by June 2024, but has postponed implementation to allow further consultation with stakeholders. Discussions are currently underway to determine a reasonable schedule that blends safety concerns with operational realities.
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