India's major airlines, carrying 95% of passengers, are urging the government to relax new pilot rest rules effective since November. The carriers argue the regulations are unsustainable in the long term. Discussions with the civil aviation ministry are ongoing.
New Delhi: Four of India's five major airlines, which carry 95% of passengers, have approached the government seeking relaxations in the flight duty time limitations (FDTL) rules that took effect on November 1 last year. These regulations were tightened following prolonged litigation by pilots advocating for stricter limits to enhance passenger safety.
An official said, “Airlines have approached the ministry to ask for certain relaxations in the newly mandated FDTL. Discussions are going on.” The issue was raised during a parliamentary standing committee meeting on December 17, shortly after IndiGo's operations collapsed between December 3 and 5, affecting 300,000 passengers. A government inquiry found the airline failed to address planning gaps despite two years of preparation.
IndiGo received an exemption from FDTL until February 10 but was fined ₹20.2 crore for it and another ₹1.8 crore for systemic lapses leading to the crisis. The new rules extend weekly rest from 36 to 48 continuous hours, including two full nights at the crew's home base. Night duty now spans midnight to 6am, limited to two consecutive shifts. Night landings are capped at two per week, down from six, and monthly flight time reduced from 125 to 100 hours over 28 days.
Another official noted, “The airlines have been firm that the second set of the new FDTL rules are not feasible for airlines in the longer run.” The government has yet to decide. IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, Akasa, and SpiceJet declined to comment. An airline executive, speaking anonymously, said, “All airlines except SpiceJet and Alliance Air are in discussions... With fare caps, geopolitical tensions, and Pakistan airspace closure adding stress, additional pilots mean extra costs, so relaxations are needed for sector growth.”
Federation of Indian Pilots president C S Randhawa stated, “Safety cannot be compromised in any situation. If there is any untoward incident, pilots are the first ones to be blamed. The rest factor of a pilot needs to be taken as a priority. Where there is will, there is a way, so the airlines who were given time for two years, cannot give excuses now.”
Most airlines have adapted to the rules, barring IndiGo, which assured the DGCA of sufficient pilots and no cancellations post-February 10.
