Paper: GS – II, Subject: Governance, Topic: Government Policies, Issue: Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL).
Context:
IndiGo operations stabilised after nationwide disruptions, issuing ₹610 crore in refunds and clearing delayed baggage, while heightened government scrutiny questioned regulatory compliance and lapses in board and risk committee oversight.
Key Takeaways:
Why did the Crisis Occur?
- Severe crew shortages and poor rostering led to widespread fatigue, making pilots unavailable and triggering large-scale cancellations.
- Failure by IndiGo and DGCA to prepare for the upcoming FDTL norms and maintain required crew strength created systemic operational fragility, causing the network to collapse under pressure. About Flight Duty Time Limitations Rules: FDTL refers to regulatory limits on how long pilots can be on duty, how many hours they may fly, the number of night operations they can perform, and the minimum rest required to prevent fatigue.
- Published by: Issued and enforced by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) under a revised framework notified in January 2024.
- Aim: To reduce fatigue-related safety risks, align Indian aviation with global norms, and ensure safer flight operations by regulating duty hours, night operations, and rest requirements.
Key operational issues include:
- Crew unavailability
- New pilot rules not effectively implemented
- Inadequate contingency planning
- Poor baggage-handling coordination
Features New FDTL Norms Changed:
- The revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms introduced multiple fatigue-mitigation measures:
- Weekly rest increased from 36 to 48 hours
- Night landings capped at two, down from six and 2 consecutive night duties allowed.
- Definition of night hours extended by one hour
- Night period extended to 00:00–06:00 to protect high-fatigue hours.
- Daily flight time limits reduced to lower fatigue risk.
- Longer mandatory rest between duties introduced.
- Fatigue reporting made compulsory for pilots.
- Airlines must redesign rosters to prevent cumulative fatigue.
- Full implementation deadline set for 1 November 2025.
- These changes significantly tightened crew availability and operational flexibility, particularly for airlines with heavy night operations.
- Mandatory roster adjustments & formal fatigue reporting push airlines to adopt transparent, safety-focused crew scheduling and allow pilots to flag high-risk fatigue scenarios.
| Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): DGCA is the regulatory body in the field of Civil Aviation, primarily dealing with safety issues. It was accorded a statutory status under the Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020. It is responsible for regulation of air transport services to/from/within India and for enforcement of civil air regulations, air safety and airworthiness standards. It also co-ordinates all regulatory functions with International Civil Aviation Organisation. Headquarters: New Delhi. DGCA’s Role in Indian Aviation: Regulation and Safety Compliance and MonitoringGlobal Coordination Certifications and Approvals: Registers aircraft, certifies pilots and other aviation professionals, and grants Air Operator Certificates (AOCs). Accident Investigations Environmental Monitoring |
Significance:
- Enhances flight safety by scientifically addressing circadian fatigue.
- Aligns India with ICAO and international best practices.
- Improves pilot well-being and operational discipline.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2025 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040