DGCA frames rules for duty timings of flight attendants

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has come out with separate rules governing flight duty time limitations for air hostesses and stewards of all airlines and non-scheduled operators. The rules, binding on all air operators and cabin crew, specify the flight timings, the flight duty and rest periods for the cabin crew of both domestic and international flights, official sources said. The new rules are based on the International Civil Aviation Organisation requirements, under which signatory nations have to frame regulations specifying these. The rules would be applicable to all airlines, private charters, business aviators and other non-scheduled operators. The working patterns of the cabin crew are different from those of cockpit crew. Cabin crew work longer hours and are trained for and required to assist in cases of an aircraft emergency, sources said. The new CAR makes it mandatory for the operator to ensure a cabin crew member would not operate an aeroplane "if it is known or suspected" that he or she was fatigued.

The airline or non-scheduled operator would also not schedule any cabin crew member for an assignment exceeding the prescribed flight duty time limitations and ensure that they are trained and educated regarding dangers of fatigue and sleepiness. While the minimum duty timings would be 12 consecutive hours on six domestic sectors (or six pairs of take-offs and landings), the same for an international flight would be 11 hours and not more than four sectors, as per the latest CAR. Similarly, the rules also detail the rest period after an 11 or 12-hour duty in domestic or international sectors, including those to the neighbouring countries.