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An official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated, “The DGCA is re-evaluating the duty time limitations to allow for more flexible hours for pilots while ensuring that the industry can implement these changes effectively.”

This effort aims to create a more balanced framework that benefits both crew members and airlines, according to two officials familiar with the matter.

The draft FDTL proposed in January of this year was found to be impractical for industry application after a comprehensive review revealed significant challenges.

Aviation expert Captain Shakti Lumba remarked on the situation, claiming that the DGCA changed its position, prioritizing the commercial interests of operators over the safety of flights and the public.

Last week, Air India, a subsidiary of Tata, revised its fatigue monitoring policy. The airline, which has established a specialized committee to assess fatigue reports from pilots and cabin crew, has now required that all fatigue calls be documented in the system. These reports will then be reviewed by the airline’s medical and flight operations teams.

The newly proposed regulations have altered the definition of night duty for pilots, introducing stricter limits on the number of landings permitted when a pilot’s shift begins or continues into the night. The cap on landings during night operations has been decreased from six to two.

According to a third official, the government’s objective is to implement a new Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) that utilizes a data-driven strategy to improve the oversight of flight crew fatigue.

Airlines have indicated that this change will likely necessitate the hiring of additional staff to meet the new requirements.

They contend that the revised regulations, which have increased a pilot’s weekly rest period from 36 to 48 hours, will require approximately 20% more pilots. This adjustment is expected to elevate their operational expenses and disrupt their flight schedules.

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