Civil Aviation India Archives - Page 4 of 5

START: India is emerging as the fastest-growing aviation market worldwide, yet it faces a significant hurdle: a shortage of trained technical personnel, including pilots, engineers, and technicians. This challenge is expected to become more acute as Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) vehicles enter the market within the next year or two, creating an additional need for pilots. The issue stems largely from inadequate planning and foresight by the authorities. Consequently, many aspiring Indian pilots are pursuing training in countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bosnia, Montenegro, and the Philippines. In fact, approximately 700 out of every 1,000 commercial pilot licenses issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are earned abroad. India’s Potential as a Global Hub for Aviation Education Considering India’s expansive geography and favorable weather for flying, the country is ideally suited to be a global hub for aviation education. In the 1980s and 1990s, students from nations such as Iran, Jordan, Palestine, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and several African countries came to India for flight training. Today, the trend has reversed, with Indian students going overseas for pilot education. One key reason is the slow pace of domestic training programs and the cumbersome security clearance process for foreign students, which discourages them from enrolling in India. Competition from International Flight Schools Meanwhile, nations like the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have established world-class flight schools. Students from neighboring Arab countries now mostly prefer the United States, Canada, and Europe for training, despite these regions lacking ideal weather for primary flight instruction. Domestic regulations further complicate matters. The DGCA allows a flight school to operate only if it meets minimum requirements for aircraft and paid-up capital, while the Airports Authority of India (AAI) imposes additional capital requirements. These rules do not guarantee quality education but are often sufficient to prevent many capable entrepreneurs from opening flight schools. By contrast, an Indian entrepreneur started a flight school in New Zealand with a single rented aircraft, which has since expanded to a fleet of over 20 planes and now attracts Indian students. Shortage of Trainer Aircraft The shortage of trainer aircraft is another pressing challenge. In the 1970s, Prof. David Hazen of Princeton University, invited by the Indian government to establish the first aeronautical department at IIT Kanpur, outlined a roadmap for India to achieve self-reliance in aviation training. However, progress has been slow. The DGCA developed the Swati light aircraft, manufactured by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), but a fatal accident during testing brought the program to an end. Similarly, the Hansa trainer created by the National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL) was rejected by most flight schools. Lessons from the Pushpak Aircraft A comparison with the Pushpak aircraft is instructive. Manufactured in the 1950s, HAL produced 160 Pushpaks, which served India reliably for over 50 years and maintained an excellent safety record. In 1968, the government gifted one Pushpak each to Singapore and Malaysia to help them establish their flight training programs. The Pushpak’s success was largely due to it being modeled closely on the proven US Aeronca Chief. NAL later developed the next-generation Hansa (NG Hansa), which was showcased at the 2020 Wings India airshow, but production has yet to start, and setting up the necessary infrastructure would still take several years even if action begins immediately. Global Trainer Aircraft Shortages and LSAs The shortage of trainer aircraft is not unique to India. Major manufacturers such as Cessna and Piper had slowed production, underestimating demand, and now struggle to meet global requirements. Other countries have tackled this problem by incorporating Light Sport Aircraft (LSAs) into flight training. Equipped with advanced navigation systems, LSAs are cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and widely used in the US and EU for commercial pilot instruction. However, Indian regulations currently do not permit LSAs for commercial pilot training. Despite being equipped with only a magnetic compass, pilots trained on Pushpaks have gone on to fly advanced aircraft like the Boeing 777 and Airbus A320. Allowing LSAs in India could reduce aircraft shortages, encourage domestic manufacturing, generate employment, and attract foreign investment. Lack of Experienced Flight Instructors The lack of experienced flight instructors adds another layer of difficulty. Rapid growth in airlines such as Indigo and Air India has led many instructors to leave training schools for better pay, career progression, and recognition in commercial aviation. This high turnover leaves less-experienced instructors teaching students, unlike other professional fields where teachers usually have extensive industry experience. In countries like the US, airline pilots can provide primary flight training in their spare time, giving trainees the advantage of learning from seasoned professionals and ensuring higher safety standards. Without urgent, proactive measures, India will continue to rely on foreign nations to fulfill the increasing demand for skilled professionals in its civil aviation sector. https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-insight/knowledge/flight-training-a-challenge-in-civil-aviation-101727069965710.html

India’s Aviation Boom Threatened By Severe Pilot, Instructor And Aircraft Shortages

Aviation Today Opinion Desk / December 13, 2025

By Captain S Sabu (Flight Instructor, Pilot at Jazeera Airways, Kuwait and Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society) India is […]

New Delhi, India: IndiGo has been ordered by the government to announce significant reductions in its domestic flight schedule this winter, with daily operations expected to drop sharply amid operational challenges. The airline’s winter schedule cut was initially set at 5% but was later doubled to 10% by the government on December 9, 2025. The approved winter schedule originally planned 15,014 weekly departures, translating to over 2,200 daily flights. A 5% reduction would have removed about 108 flights per day, while the latest 10% cut corresponds to roughly 216 fewer flights daily. Sources suggest that IndiGo may operate as few as 1,800–1,900 flights per day, indicating up to 500 daily cancellations. Flight disruptions were already evident in November 2025, when the airline operated 59,438 out of the scheduled 64,346 flights, resulting in 951 cancellations for the month. Aircraft availability has also been below the planned numbers: although winter estimations projected 403 aircraft, only 339 aircraft in October and 344 in November were operational. Industry analysts warn that these reductions may exacerbate travel disruptions during peak winter months, particularly on busy domestic routes, as IndiGo continues to adjust its operations to match aircraft availability and crew capacity. IndiGo continues to grapple with operational challenges this winter, as hundreds of flights are being cancelled across major airports nationwide. As of December 10, 2025, the highest number of cancellations was reported from Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, where 61 flights including 35 arrivals and 26 departures were cancelled. Goa International Airport also saw multiple flight cancellations affecting routes to and from Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi. In Ahmedabad, 10 IndiGo flights were called off. Data from the Ministry of Civil Aviation indicates that between December 1–8, 2025, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Mumbai) recorded 905 flight cancellations and 1,475 delays exceeding 30 minutes, impacting around 2,60,000 passengers. IndiGo also plans for a hiring drive of around 900 recruits to meet DGCA’s stricter night-flight and duty-time norms, with the regulator setting 10 February as the compliance deadline. The airline detailed its hiring ramp-up in a submission to the DGCA, according to documents reviewed by Mint, stating it plans to induct 158 pilots by February, while the remaining 742 will be hired gradually by December next year, underlining the scale of the staffing challenge. The government had intervened, ordering a 10% reduction in IndiGo’s winter flight schedule to stabilize operations. Despite management assurances that the situation had “stabilized,” cancellations persist at multiple airports, highlighting the ongoing operational strain. The underlying trigger for the disruption lies in the revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms introduced by the DGCA, aimed at strengthening aviation safety by reducing fatigue-related risks for pilots. The second and most stringent phase of these rules came into force on November 1, 2025. Under the revised framework, pilots are mandated to receive 48 consecutive hours of weekly rest, face tighter limits on consecutive night duties, and are subject to caps on night landings and duty extensions. Despite IndiGo’s assurances that operations are stabilizing, large-scale cancellations continue to impact major airports, raising concerns over reliability during the peak winter travel season. https://x.com/RamMNK/status/1998090240100344187/photo/1

DGCA

DGCA Orders IndiGo To Cut 10% Flights This Winter, Daily Operations May Drop Over 200

Aviation Today News Desk / December 10, 2025

New Delhi, India: IndiGo has been ordered by the government to announce significant reductions in its domestic flight schedule this

New Delhi, India: India’s largest airline, IndiGo, is gearing up for a record-scale pilot recruitment drive to meet the February 10 DGCA deadline under revised flight duty regulations, following a surge in flight cancellations due to operational strain. Pilot Availability and Recruitment Plan For its Airbus fleet, IndiGo reported 2,357 captains and 2,194 first officers as of December. The airline plans to bolster its crew numbers in the coming months as follows: By end-December 2025: 25 captains and 35 first officers January 2026: 28 captains and 35 first officers By February 10, 2026: 15 captains and 20 first officers This recruitment would raise the total to 2,425 captains and 2,284 first officers by the February compliance date. As per its FY25 annual report, IndiGo had 5,456 pilots in total, including captains and first officers. India’s civil-aviation regulator, DGCA, has granted a one-time relaxation of certain night-duty and crew-rest provisions under the revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms to help stabilize operations after hundreds of flight cancellations last week by IndiGo. The relaxation, valid until 10 February 2026, covers night-flying limits and allows leave to count as part of weekly rest periods. The disruption began after the second phase of FDTL norms took effect on 1 November 2025, introducing stricter duty-hour caps, night-flying restrictions, and extended weekly rest measures to reduce pilot fatigue and improve safety. Airlines struggled with roster planning and crew availability under the new rules, leading to widespread cancellations. Thousands of passengers at major airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad faced delays, long queues, and frustration. Airlines warned disruptions would continue for a few more days and began scaling down operations from 8 December to restore normal service. To manage crew shortages, IndiGo announced it would cancel 300–400 flights daily between 5 and 8 December to reset its roster, followed by a revised schedule from 10 to 31 December. Analysts have flagged that the scale and speed of recruitment may be difficult to achieve. Elara Securities estimates IndiGo may need to hire at least 900 pilots to comply fully by February. “Meeting this target could be challenging, as poaching talent is difficult due to long notice periods, six months for co-pilots and 12 months for captains,” said Gagan Dixit, Senior Vice President at Elara Securities. Mark D Martin, CEO of Martin Consulting, added that immediate availability remains a key constraint, noting that foreign pilot hiring requires a minimum of three months for regulatory clearances. IndiGo operates 417 aircraft, including A320s, ATRs, a Boeing jet on wet lease, and freighters. Nearly 40 A320 aircraft remain grounded due to engine issues with Pratt & Whitney, reducing the effective A320 fleet to about 325 aircraft. These aircraft are flown for about 14 hours daily, significantly higher than the industry norm of 8.5 hours. At this utilisation, IndiGo requires 17 pilot-and-copilot sets per aircraft, versus the usual 14. Martin Consulting estimates the crew requirement at 5,525, while DGCA filings show 4,551 crew available in December, a shortfall of 974 pilots. IndiGo operates with 2.5 pilots per departure, compared to 5.4 pilots for Air India and Akasa Air. This reflects both IndiGo’s fleet concentration on narrow-body A320s and higher aircraft utilisation. The airline’s heavy reliance on high-utilisation A320 operations means that each additional flying hour amplifies its pilot requirement. With nearly 40 aircraft grounded, IndiGo is attempting to maintain schedules with fewer pilots, compounding the challenge just as night-operation curbs tighten. Analysts warn that bridging the gap will require aggressive recruitment, expedited training, and regulatory approvals, all while maintaining operational safety.

Airlines

IndiGo To Hire 900 Pilots In Record Drive Ahead Of DGCA Night-Flight Deadline

Aviation Today News Desk / December 8, 2025

New Delhi, India: India’s largest airline, IndiGo, is gearing up for a record-scale pilot recruitment drive to meet the February

New Delhi, India: In a decisive move to tackle widespread flight cancellations by IndiGo, the Ministry of Civil Aviation announced on 5th December, 2025 that certain Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) enforced by the DGCA have been placed in abeyance with immediate effect. The temporary suspension aims to restore airline operations, relieve passenger distress, and maintain safety standards. IndiGo, India’s largest domestic carrier, cancelled over 1,000 flights across its network over the past five days, affecting major airports including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, and Hyderabad. On Friday, 5 December, nearly 400 flights were cancelled in a single day, disrupting travel for thousands of passengers. Previously, media reports estimated that cumulative cancellations during the multi-day disruption crossed the 550 flight mark nationwide. The airline’s on-time performance (OTP) fell sharply to 8.5%, 19.7% on Wednesday, 35% of the IndiGo flights operated on time on Tuesday, down from 67.7% in November 2025 before FDTL enforcement. The disruption was triggered by DGCA’s revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms, aimed at reducing pilot fatigue and enhancing safety. The stricter Phase 2, effective from 1 November 2025, mandates 48 hours of weekly rest, limits consecutive night duties, and caps night landings and duty extensions The official PIB statement highlighted that the abeyance of FDTL rules is “urgent and proactive” and undertaken “solely in the interest of passengers,” particularly seniors, students, patients, and travellers dependent on timely air services. The government has mandated: Immediate restoration of flight schedules, with normal operations expected within three days. Airlines provide real-time updates, automatic refunds for cancellations, hotel accommodation for stranded passengers, and special assistance for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. A 24×7 control room to monitor airline operations and coordinate corrective measures. A high-level inquiry to examine the causes of the disruption, determine accountability, and recommend preventive measures. While safety-driven, these rules exposed gaps in crew availability, particularly for an airline of IndiGo’s scale. The airline had notified regulators about challenges in roster planning and pilot availability, prompting the government’s intervention. What the Abeyance Means The abeyance is temporary and does not repeal FDTL rules; safety remains a priority. Airlines are expected to take operational measures, including flexible crew rostering, to restore service reliability without compromising pilot rest and safety standards. DGCA will conduct ongoing reviews to ensure compliance and implement corrective actions. Passengers affected between 3–6 December 2025 are eligible for full refunds or rescheduling. The government has assured that all necessary measures are being taken to prioritise passenger safety, care, and convenience during the temporary relaxation.

DGCA

DGCA Eases FDTL Rules Temporarily After IndiGo Cancels Over 1,000 Flights In Five Days

Aviation Today News Desk / December 6, 2025

New Delhi, India: In a decisive move to tackle widespread flight cancellations by IndiGo, the Ministry of Civil Aviation announced

New Delhi, India: India’s largest airline, IndiGo, is battling a major operational crisis after its on-time performance (OTP) plunged sharply to just 19.7% on December 3, triggering widespread flight delays and 200 flight cancellations across key airports and disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers nationwide. As per IndiGo's website, the airline operates well over 2,200 daily flights. Government data from Wednesday shows the airline’s on-time performance plunging to just 19.7%, a dramatic fall for a carrier long associated with punctuality. This implies that over 1,767 flights were delayed on that day alone. The turbulence continued and on Wednesday airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad collectively reported 200 flight cancellations by afternoon, in addition to hundreds of delayed departures and arrivals. The combined impact of delays and cancellations caused widespread disruption for domestic travellers, leaving passengers stranded, scrambling for alternatives, and highlighting the operational strain on the airline’s network. Official airport punctuality data on 3rd December shows a stark contrast between IndiGo and other domestic airlines: IndiGo: 19.7% Alliance Air: 68.0% Air India: 66.8% Akasa Air: 67.5% Air India Express: 69.9% SpiceJet: 68.70% The disruptions are evident from the airline’s on-time performance (OTP) data; merely 19.7% on Wednesday, 35% of the IndiGo flights operated on time on Tuesday, while the figure was around 50% on Monday, as per the Ministry of Civil Aviation. IndiGo’s OTP typically used to be upwards of 80% prior to the second phase of the new FDTL norms taking effect in November. Aviation industry officials attribute the crisis primarily to a severe shortage of pilots and cabin crew, which has worsened following the enforcement of revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms. The updated rules require stricter rest periods, reduced night operations, and tighter rostering limits, significantly shrinking the pool of available crew for daily operations. In addition to crew constraints, airport congestion, winter fog disruptions in north India, and internal operational realignments further compounded the stress on the airline’s network, according to aviation sources. The disruption led to multiple delays stretching into several hours, and in many cases, short-notice cancellations, forcing passengers to look for alternative routes or remain stranded at airports. Social media platforms were flooded with complaints highlighting missed connections, lack of timely communication, and prolonged waiting at check-in counters and boarding gates. Several travellers reported delays exceeding four to six hours, while others were informed of cancellations only after reaching the airport. Business travellers and holiday passengers alike were impacted during what is traditionally a high-demand travel period. IndiGo acknowledged the disruption and attributed it to a combination of crew unavailability and operational challenges. In a public advisory, the airline urged passengers to check real-time flight status before heading to the airport and assured customers that rebooking or full refunds would be provided in accordance with company policy. The airline also stated that it is working on “calibrated schedule adjustments” to stabilise operations and gradually restore normalcy across the network. Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that it is looking into the IndiGo flight disruptions and has asked the airline to submit a report detailing the reasons for the situation.

Airlines

IndiGo On-Time Performance Falls To 19.7% As Crew Shortage Triggers 200 Cancellations

Aviation Today News Desk / December 4, 2025

New Delhi, India: India’s largest airline, IndiGo, is battling a major operational crisis after its on-time performance (OTP) plunged sharply

New Delhi, India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has grounded an Air India Airbus A320 aircraft and launched a formal investigation after it was found to have operated eight commercial flights without a valid Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC). The lapse was discovered during a routine night‑halt inspection by an engineer, who noticed the aircraft’s ARC had expired. The certificate is mandatory to ensure the aircraft meets maintenance and safety standards before any flight. DGCA officials confirmed the aircraft had flown eight “revenue sectors” on 24–25 November 2025, despite the absence of a valid ARC. Flying without this certificate is considered a serious compliance violation as it directly pertains to flight safety. Following the discovery, DGCA immediately grounded the aircraft and suspended all personnel responsible for approving its release to service pending the outcome of the investigation. The regulator has also instructed Air India to conduct an internal compliance audit to identify systemic gaps and prevent future lapses. In a statement, Air India acknowledged the incident, calling it “regrettable.” The airline said it self-reported the breach to DGCA, suspended the staff involved, and initiated its own internal investigation. It reaffirmed its commitment to strict safety and regulatory compliance. Operating an aircraft without a valid airworthiness certificate poses significant safety risks and could potentially impact insurance coverage for the aircraft, including hull, liability, and passenger insurance. It has been described as a Level‑1 violation, the most serious type of compliance failure concerning aircraft safety standards. The aircraft was part of the former Vistara fleet, which merged with Air India in late 2024. After the merger, DGCA renewed ARCs for 69 of 70 aircraft. The 70th aircraft, which later operated eight sectors, had undergone an engine change, during which its ARC expired. Despite this, it was mistakenly released into service. DGCA’s inquiry will determine whether penalties, fines, or further actions against responsible personnel are warranted. Air India’s internal investigation will also examine systemic compliance gaps and recommend measures to prevent recurrence.

Investigation

DGCA Grounds Air India A320 After Aircraft Operates Eight Flights Without Valid ARC

Aviation Today News Desk / December 3, 2025

New Delhi, India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has grounded an Air India Airbus A320 aircraft and launched

transparent reporting and genuine implementation by airlines. New Delhi, India: In a new circular dated November 20, the DGCA has ordered stricter measures to address pilot fatigue, signalling a shift in the regulator’s approach from mere duty-hour limits to systemic fatigue-risk management. The DGCA initiated this crackdown after an audit of all scheduled airlines found that many operators were uncertain about the scope and content of “annual fatigue training.” Officials noted that fatigue-reports from crew members had not been reaching DGCA for several months, especially following the implementation of the first phase of revised duty and rest norms on July 1, 2025. Under the broader regulatory overhaul of 2025, the DGCA had already increased the minimum weekly rest period for pilots from 36 to 48 hours and set stricter limits on night duty, night-landing frequency and consecutive night flights. Still, regulators found that merely limiting duty-hours was not enough fatigue risk persisted when scheduling, rostering and crew-management systems failed to account for real-world operational stresses. The new circular aims to close that gap. The new measures mean that airlines must now build internal processes, not just comply with hours-based restrictions. Mandatory training for schedulers/dispatchers, a fatigue-reporting system, and a review committee these steps aim to ensure safety proactively, rather than reactive incident-based enforcement. For flight-crew, this may encourage a culture of openness about fatigue; the quarterly reporting system and independent review could reduce pressure on pilots to “tough it out.” For airlines, compliance will demand more than roster-planning operators will need to implement fatigue-awareness training, document reporting and follow-up, and coordinate across departments (scheduling, operations, HR). The November 25 circular builds on changes introduced earlier in 2025. In February, DGCA told the court that a revised framework for flight duty time limitation (FDTL) would be phased in from July 1, with full implementation by November 1. Under that framework: weekly rest was raised to 48 hours, night-duty definitions were revised, and caps placed on night landings and consecutive night flights. Simultaneously, DGCA released a draft “Fatigue Risk Management System” (FRMS), offering airlines a performance-based alternative to prescriptive duty-hour limits if operators can demonstrate through data that fatigue risk remains low. However, the regulator clarified that adoption of FRMS would remain optional; airlines may choose to continue under the standard duty-hour/rest rules.

Pilots

DGCA Tightens Pilot Fatigue Rules, Mandates Training And Quarterly Reporting

Aviation Today News Desk / November 26, 2025

New Delhi, India: In a new circular dated November 20, the DGCA has ordered stricter measures to address pilot fatigue,

New Delhi, India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is preparing to roll out a Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) framework for cabin crew, marking a significant shift in India’s approach to aviation training and safety. The initiative aims to move beyond traditional checklist-driven instruction and instead focus on developing measurable, scenario-based competencies that improve crew performance in real-life situations. DGCA Chief Flight Operations Inspector Shweta Singh said that draft regulations for the new training model are expected to be released within a month, and the adoption will be voluntary for airlines at the initial stage. The framework is expected to eventually become an integral part of airline training programs across India. The CBTA model, already implemented for pilot training since 2022, emphasizes skill proficiency, decision-making, and communication under operational pressures rather than rote procedural knowledge. Singh explained, “For example, if there is a fire in the cabin, how will they deal with it, how will they communicate, how will they coordinate? All these performance indicators will be embedded in the CBTA framework to help cabin crew train better.” Industry leaders have welcomed the move as a progressive step that aligns Indian aviation standards with global practices recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The ICAO’s competency-based approach ensures that crew members are not only trained to complete tasks but also assessed on how effectively they handle unexpected challenges during flight operations. At a recent industry conference, Captain Ashim Mittra, Senior Vice President of Flight Operations at IndiGo, said that competency, rather than crew numbers, determines operational safety and efficiency. “The number of people onboard matters less than how competent they are to handle different situations,” Mittra stated, emphasizing the importance of advanced training models as India’s airlines continue to expand their fleets and international operations. India’s aviation sector is among the fastest-growing in the world, with airlines adding hundreds of new aircraft over the next decade. This growth has created a parallel demand for highly skilled flight and cabin crew, and the DGCA’s move to adopt CBTA reflects the regulator’s effort to strengthen operational safety standards amid rapid expansion. The regulator’s shift toward competency-based models also aligns with its broader vision of improving human performance, safety culture, and regulatory oversight within the Indian aviation ecosystem. Aviation experts believe that implementing CBTA will not only elevate the quality of training but also make Indian crew members more adaptable and globally competitive.

Cabin Crew

DGCA To Introduce Competency-Based Training Framework For Cabin Crew Across Airlines

Aviation Today News Desk / November 12, 2025

New Delhi, India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is preparing to roll out a Competency-Based Training and Assessment

New Delhi, India: India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), is facing strong resistance from pilot unions after it approved a rule extending the maximum flight duty period for Boeing 787 crews by half an hour a move pilots warn could heighten fatigue and compromise flight safety. Under the revised guidelines, the DGCA has increased the permissible flight time for two-pilot operations on Boeing 787 aircraft from 10 hours to 10 hours 30 minutes, and the overall Flight Duty Period (FDP) from 13 hours to 14 hours. The amendment, issued late last week, comes just months before the regulator’s new fatigue management norms under Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) 2024 are scheduled to take effect. Pilot associations, including the Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA-India) and the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP), have urged the DGCA to immediately withdraw the extension, calling it “a dangerous precedent that undermines scientific fatigue management.” “This change ignores well-documented evidence linking fatigue with reduced alertness and safety margins, especially during long-haul night operations,” ALPA-India said in a statement. “The Boeing 787’s in-flight rest facilities are already inadequate due to seat recline restrictions, and any increase in flight duty time will directly affect pilot alertness.” The union referred to an FAA airworthiness directive that restricted the reclining function of cockpit rest seats on Boeing 787s, limiting proper rest opportunities for pilots during cruise segments. The Federation of Indian Pilots separately warned that any delay in implementing the full CAR 2024 fatigue norms which had been promised in court could amount to contempt of court. The federation said the DGCA had earlier assured the Bombay High Court that it would enforce the revised duty-time limitations to align with international best practices. As the implementation date for CAR 2024 nears, pilot groups insist that fatigue management should remain rooted in science not scheduling convenience. “Adding half an hour to an already stretched limit is not operational flexibility; it’s operational fatigue,” one senior wide-body pilot told. A DGCA official maintained that the amendment was based on operational data and “falls within safe international norms.” The regulator also reiterated that the upcoming CAR 2024 norms would introduce a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) to supplement prescriptive duty limits with data-driven fatigue monitoring.

Pilots

Pilots Warn Of Fatigue Risks As DGCA Extends Flight Duty Hours For Boeing 787 Crews

Aviation Today News Desk / October 31, 2025

New Delhi, India: India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), is facing strong resistance from pilot unions

Airports

AERA Proposes Baggage Delays, Dirty Toilets May Soon Cost Airports in Fee Reductions

Aviation Today News Desk / September 17, 2025

New Delhi, India: Indian airports may soon face financial penalties for service lapses such as baggage delays, long queues, and

Civil Aviation India

India’s Aviation Boom Threatened By Severe Pilot, Instructor And Aircraft Shortages

DGCA Orders IndiGo To Cut 10% Flights This Winter, Daily Operations May Drop Over 200

DGCA Eases FDTL Rules Temporarily After IndiGo Cancels Over 1,000 Flights In Five Days

IndiGo On-Time Performance Falls To 19.7% As Crew Shortage Triggers 200 Cancellations

DGCA Grounds Air India A320 After Aircraft Operates Eight Flights Without Valid ARC

DGCA Tightens Pilot Fatigue Rules, Mandates Training And Quarterly Reporting

DGCA To Introduce Competency-Based Training Framework For Cabin Crew Across Airlines

Pilots Warn Of Fatigue Risks As DGCA Extends Flight Duty Hours For Boeing 787 Crews

AERA Proposes Baggage Delays, Dirty Toilets May Soon Cost Airports in Fee Reductions

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