Major Indian Airlines Ask To Relax New Pilot Rest Rules, Call It “Unsustainable”; Here’s Why

In the wake of the recent IndiGo crisis, several Indian airlines have urged the government to reconsider the new pilot rest rules. While the DGCA has temporarily withdrawn the weekly roster norm in December, airlines are now calling for a broader review of the rules to ensure long-term sustainability. Here’s what you need to know.

Airlines Ask For Relaxation In New Pilot Rest Rules

According to a Hindustan Times report, four domestic airlines, which together carry about 95% of passengers, have urged the Indian government to reconsider and relax the new pilot rest rules. The regulations came into effect on November 1 last year and, according to the airlines, are “unsustainable in the long run.”

The rules fall under Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), which govern how long and at what hours pilots are allowed to work. These norms were tightened after pilots led a prolonged legal battle, highlighting fatigue and safety concerns. The move aimed to ensure adequate rest for them and enhance passenger safety. However, airlines now argue that the revised limits are difficult to sustain in the long run.

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All You Need To Know About This

An anonymous official told Hindustan Times that several major Indian airlines have “approached the ministry to ask for certain relaxations” regarding the new pilot rest rules and discussions are underway. IndiGo’s chaos in December got them an exemption from the FDTL rules till February 10 and they were fined ₹20.2 crore for being exempted from the rules.

Under the revised FDTL rules, stricter limits on pilot working hours and rest were introduced. Weekly rest has now been increased from 36 to 48 consecutive hours, including two full nights at the crew member’s home base. The definition of night duty has been extended from midnight to 5 AM to midnight to 6 AM, and pilots can now be assigned only two consecutive night duties.

Additionally, night landings have been reduced to two per week from six earlier, while monthly flying hours have been cut from 125 to 100 hours within a 28-day period.

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More information on this is awaited.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/Margo Evardson (representative image)