Mumbai, Dec 5: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday eased flight duty regulations for pilots, allowing substitution of leaves with weekly rest periods, in a bid to stabilize operations at IndiGo amid ongoing disruptions.
Under the previous Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms, weekly rest periods and leaves were treated separately, with the rule stating “no leave shall be substituted for weekly rest.” This provision was aimed at mitigating pilot fatigue.
However, citing the massive operational disruptions faced by IndiGo, sources told PTI that the DGCA has decided to withdraw this restriction. The regulator stated in a communication dated December 5: “In view of the ongoing operational disruptions and representations received from various airlines regarding the need to ensure continuity and stability of operations, it has been considered necessary to review the said provision.”
The revised FDTL norms, implemented in two phases with the second phase coming into force on November 1, had created gaps in crew planning. These gaps have contributed significantly to the current pilot shortage at IndiGo, resulting in widespread flight cancellations and delays.
The move by DGCA aims to provide operational flexibility, allowing airlines to manage crew schedules more efficiently and reduce passenger inconvenience as IndiGo works to normalize its services.