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crew welfare

IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet Flag DGCA’s Revised FDTL Framework As More Restrictive SEO DES: In a letter to DGCA, the FIA sought globally harmonised, evidence-based norms, saying fatigue should be managed via flight duty period, not flight time SOCIAL: India’s major airlines, through the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), have urged the DGCA to revise new FDTL and cabin crew rest norms, calling them more restrictive than global standards and operationally disruptive. The carriers argue the rules limit rostering flexibility, contributed to flight disruptions after enforcement in late 2025, and should focus on flight duty period rather than flight time. While the DGCA maintains strict compliance for safety, airlines continue to seek globally aligned, practical fatigue management norms. Delhi, India: India’s leading airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, have raised strong objections to newly implemented Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) and cabin crew rest norms, claiming the rules are more restrictive than global standards and could disrupt flight operations, according to a report by PTI. The carriers, through the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), have written to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) requesting reconsideration of certain provisions, arguing that the framework limits flexibility in crew rostering, particularly during peak travel periods. Industry insiders warn that stringent compliance could affect domestic flight schedules and hinder operational efficiency. “While we fully support the objective of ensuring crew safety, some of the proposed restrictions are operationally challenging and do not align with global fatigue management practices,” the FIA said in a letter to the DGCA dated January 12. In this letter to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) called for “globally harmonised, evidence-based and operationally practical provisions” in the final norms. The FIA emphasized that flight duty period, rather than flight time, should be the primary measure used to manage daily cabin crew fatigue. “Duty and rest limits may focus on Flight Duty Period and minimum rest periods, avoiding cumulative caps or direct linkage to the number of landings,” the FIA said in the letter, as reported by PTI. The airlines’ opposition highlights the real-world impact of these rules. By November 1, 2025, stricter FDTL norms were enforced, leading to operational disruptions in December that contributed to widespread IndiGo flight cancellations and delays, in which they had to adjust pilot and crew rosters to comply with new duty hour limits. Airlines argue that the regulatory framework, while well-intentioned, does not adequately account for the operational realities of India’s high-frequency domestic market, potentially creating a mismatch between safety compliance and service reliability. After granting temporary exemptions to IndiGo for night duty adjustments in late 2025, the DGCA confirmed that all carriers must now fully comply with the revised rules as of February 2026. Failure to adhere could result in regulatory scrutiny and enforcement action. The DGCA has also reiterated to the Delhi High Court that weekly pilot rest norms remain mandatory, maintaining the regulator’s firm stance on crew fatigue management. With stricter FDTL rules now fully in effect, India’s aviation sector faces a delicate balance between operational efficiency and safety compliance. While regulators emphasize safety as the top priority, airlines continue to lobby for adjustments that better reflect international practices and operational realities.

IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet Flag DGCA’s Revised FDTL Framework As More Restrictive

Aviation Today News Desk / February 13, 2026

Delhi, India: India’s leading airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, have raised strong objections to newly implemented Flight Duty […]

Taipei, Taiwan: EVA Air is under global scrutiny following the death of a 34-year-old flight attendant, identified by the surname Sun, who reportedly fell ill during a long-haul flight from Milan to Taipei. The attendant sought medical treatment upon arrival at Taoyuan Airport on September 25 and was initially treated at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Linkou. She was later transferred to China Medical University Hospital in Taichung, where she passed away on October 10. Reports indicate that Sun had informed her cabin chief about receiving an injection at the airport for pain and fever before being referred to a hospital's rheumatology department. Doctors suspected Adult-Onset Still’s Disease (AOSD), a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by high fevers, salmon-colored rashes, sore throat, joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes. The condition affects roughly 1 in 100,000 people worldwide and can lead to severe complications such as pericarditis, pneumonia, or macrophage activation syndrome, which carries a high mortality rate. The Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union has called for better care and support for sick flight attendants, urging EVA Air to ease sick leave rules. EVA Air has launched an internal investigation, and Taiwan labor authorities are also examining the circumstances surrounding Sun’s death. EVA Air is currently facing a public relations fallout on multiple fronts. The story has gone global, fueling anger over reports that cabin leadership failed to call in medical support teams or summon an ambulance for a severely ill employee. A viral social media post, reportedly shared by fellow crew members, claimed that Sun’s appeals for rest and medical aid were disregarded. It further suggested that many EVA Air flight attendants avoid taking sick or personal leave due to concerns that doing so could negatively impact their performance scores and bonuses. Meanwhile, the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) stated it would closely oversee EVA Air’s response to the incident and assess whether the airline complied with all required safety and labor standards.

EVA Air Flight Attendant Dies Following Long-Haul Flight, Investigations Underway

Aviation Today News Desk / October 14, 2025

Taipei, Taiwan: EVA Air is under global scrutiny following the death of a 34-year-old flight attendant, identified by the surname

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