DGCA relaxes weekly rest rule for pilots as IndiGo crisis deepens

Withdrawal of rules comes a day after IndiGo told the DGCA that the disruptions were caused due to 'misjudgment and planning gaps' in the implementation of the rules

Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Friday withdrew its directive barring airlines from substituting leave for crew members’ weekly rest under the flight duty time limitation (FDTL) rules, citing ongoing operational disruptions and industry requests for flexibility.

 

"...In view of the ongoing operational disruptions and representations received from various airlines regarding the need to ensure continuity and stability of operations...the instruction contained in the referenced paragraph that no leave shall be substituted for weekly rest is hereby withdrawn with immediate effect," the DGCA said.

 

The retreat comes as India’s largest airline, IndiGo, struggles with a pilot shortage triggered by the implementation of new FDTL rules. Hundreds of flights have been cancelled over the past three days, reportedly driving up fares on other airlines and adding to passengers’ woes. 

It also comes a day after IndiGo told the DGCA that the disruptions were caused due to "misjudgment and planning gaps" in the implementation of the rules. The airline also informed the regulator that more cancellations are expected in the coming days and that it will reduce flight operations from December 8 to minimise disruptions.

 

What has the DGCA urged pilots to do?

Amid the ongoing disruption, the DGCA earlier in the day urged pilots and their associations to cooperate as the country heads into the fog season and peak holiday period. The regulator asked pilots to enhance coordination with airlines to help curb avoidable delays and cancellations. 

Why pilot unions are accusing IndiGo

The appeal comes a day after the Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA) alleged that IndiGo was “arm-twisting” the regulator by cancelling flights to press for easier norms. The union said carriers had ample time to prepare but started modifying rosters only at the last minute. It also raised concerns about “slot hoarding”, claiming that some airlines may have filed aggressive winter schedules to protect airport slots despite lacking enough crew to operate them consistently.

 

Similar accusations were raised by the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP), which alleged that IndiGo, despite having a two-year window to prepare for the full rollout of the new flight duty and rest rules for cockpit crew, “inexplicably” imposed a hiring freeze.

What are the FDTL norms?

The FDTL framework sets limits on pilots’ duty hours, flying time, night landings and mandatory rest. After reviewing fatigue data and global practices, the DGCA revised these norms in January 2024, introducing tougher rest and night-duty requirements to curb fatigue-related risks.

 

The changes included a weekly rest of 48 hours, an expanded night window (midnight to 6 am), stricter caps of two night landings and no more than two consecutive night duties, along with mandatory roster adjustments and quarterly fatigue reporting.