DGCA lifts June 1 deadline for implementing new pilot duty norms

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has put the new pilot duty norms into abeyance, lifting the June 1 deadline. No new time frame has been put in place yet for implementation of the new norms.

The regulator on Tuesday said airlines can continue to comply with the old FDTL norms, issued in 2019, "till approval of their respective scheme in compliance with this CAR (civil aviation requirement)".

New Pilot Duty Norms

In January, DGCA increased pilot rest time in its new flight duty time limitation (FDTL) norms. As per the new FDTL norms, the rest time for pilots increased to 48 hours from 26 hours. The rules have also reduced nighttime flying, which is known to contribute to fatigue and impact alertness levels.

As per the 2019 regulations which is being followed now, a pilot could carry out six landings during nighttime flying. The new rules mandated only 2 such landings. The new rules also reduced the maximum flight duty period for flights encroaching nighttime to 8 hours from 10 hours

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The DGCA had earlier rejected the request by airlines to postpone the new pilot duty norms, reiterating that the revised schedule will have to be implemented from June 1, 2024. In February the airlines comprising of Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, wrote to the DGCA wrote to the DGCA seeking postponement of the June 1 implementation deadline as it could have a significant impact on their businesses. The airlines also mentioned that they would be required to hire up to 25 per cent more pilots, leading to the cancellation of a considerable number of flights.

DGCA had introduced the new rule to increase the safety in aviation sector by addressing the issue of fatigue among pilots.