The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the regulatory body overseeing aviation, has decided to postpone the implementation of the revised flight duty norms for pilots, originally scheduled to take effect from June 1, according to a report by the news agency PTI citing officials familiar with the matter.
As per the report, officials stated on Tuesday that the implementation of the revised norms has been deferred temporarily to allow for broader consultations within the industry. The updated norms aim to increase the amount of rest time allocated to pilots, with the intention of reducing pilot fatigue and enhancing overall safety standards within the aviation sector.
The recent decision by the DGCA to postpone the implementation of the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms comes as a surprise, especially considering that less than two weeks ago, the DGCA had informed airlines that there would be no extension to the deadline for implementing these new regulations. According to another official, this deferment has been enacted to allow for a comprehensive review of all aspects associated with the revised FDTL norms, indicating a shift in approach toward ensuring thorough consideration before implementation, states the PTI report.
The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), which includes Air India, SpiceJet, and IndiGo, has repeatedly contacted the regulatory authority, requesting an extension for the adoption of the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms, which were initially issued on January 8. Responding to the FIA's requests, the regulator communicated earlier this month that airlines must ensure the implementation of the updated FDTL Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) starting from June 1, 2024.
The updated regulations include provisions for extending pilots' weekly rest time to 48 hours and restricting the number of landings to two during night operations. Additionally, the night hours for pilots have been extended from midnight to 6 am, compared to the previous period of midnight to 5 am. Furthermore, airlines are now required to submit quarterly fatigue reports, which "should follow a non-punitive and confidentiality policy.”