Pilots’ Body Urges DGCA to Remove Air India Duty Hour Relaxations
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has formally requested the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to withdraw temporary relaxations granted to Air India in Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL). This move comes after the aviation regulator allowed these variations to address operational disruptions caused by longer flight routes due to airspace restrictions stemming from the US-Iran conflict.
In a letter dated March 15, the pilots’ body expressed serious concern over the dispensation, warning that it could heighten pilot fatigue and compromise flight safety. The FIP emphasized that while it appreciates the operational challenges posed by geopolitical developments and airspace closures, any relaxation of fatigue management limits must be approached with caution.
Details of the Relaxations and Safety Concerns
The Federation pointed out that the regulator has permitted an extension of flight time by 1 hour and 30 minutes and an increase in the Flight Duty Period by 1 hour and 45 minutes for two-pilot operations. According to the pilots’ body, this dispensation was granted without any scientific study, raising alarms about its potential impact.
The current Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) governing FDTL was framed after scientific evaluation based on the report of Dr. Naseem Zaidi. The FIP highlighted that extending these limits for minimum crew complement operations increases exposure to fatigue-related performance degradation. Citing research referenced in International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) fatigue management guidance, the letter noted that pilot alertness and cognitive performance decline significantly when duty durations approach or exceed 13 hours.
Additional Risks and Operational Challenges
The pilots’ body also warned that risks escalate further when duties overlap the Window of Circadian Low, a period when human alertness naturally declines. During such phases, pilots may still need to manage weather deviations, fuel planning due to rerouting, and precision approaches into congested airspace.
Furthermore, the Federation flagged that the current variation appears to place no clear limit on the number of sectors or landings within the extended duty period. This could lead to scenarios where pilots perform two landings toward the end of an already prolonged duty period. Landing is one of the highest workload phases of flight, and fatigue during this stage could significantly increase operational risk.
Specific Issues with Aircraft and Routes
The letter also referred to operational limitations linked to Boeing 787 cockpit seat design, citing a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness directive issued in February 2024. According to the Federation, restrictions on the captain’s seat recline and aft movement reduce the ability of pilots to obtain a meaningful rest posture during long cruise segments.
Additionally, the rerouting of international sectors has increased block times. For instance, pilots operating the Delhi-Amsterdam route are now logging flight durations of around 11 hours and 44 minutes. Operating extended sectors with minimum crew complement is expected to increase fatigue exposure and reduce operational safety margins.
Call for Review and Mitigation Measures
The pilots’ body urged the DGCA to review the FDTL variations and consider mitigation measures such as crew augmentation, fatigue monitoring, and consultation with pilot representative bodies. It stressed that fatigue protection provisions in the CAR were framed in line with internationally accepted fatigue management principles and warned that any deviation from these norms could jeopardize flight safety.
In summary, the Federation of Indian Pilots is advocating for a cautious approach to ensure that operational adjustments do not come at the cost of pilot well-being and aviation safety, urging immediate action from the regulatory authority.
