Revised Flight Duty Time Limits and the Director General of Civil Aviation

Context

Recently, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted IndiGo Airlines a one-time temporary exemption from certain Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) norms for pilots.

About the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

• It is India's highest regulatory body in the field of civil aviation security, primarily dealing with safety issues. It is an attached office of the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
• It is responsible for the regulation of air transport services to/from/in India and the enforcement of civil air regulations, air safety, and airworthiness standards.
• It coordinates all regulatory functions with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It is headquartered in New Delhi.

Functions and Responsibilities of the Director General of Civil Aviation

• One of the main functions of the DGCA is to ensure the safety of passengers and crew members on all flights operating in India.
• ​​It conducts regular safety inspections of all airlines and aircraft to ensure they meet required safety standards.
• It also investigates any incidents or accidents that occur in Indian airspace.
• It plays a key role in the development of new airports and the modernization of existing facilities to ensure they can meet the growing demands of the aviation industry.
• It is responsible for the regulation of air traffic in India. It works closely with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to ensure safe and efficient air traffic management.
• The DGCA also plays a key role in developing new air traffic control systems and technologies to improve the overall efficiency of Indian airspace.
• It is also responsible for issuing licenses and certificates to pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, and other aviation personnel. It monitors aircraft noise and engine emissions in accordance with ICAO Annex 16.

About the Revised Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) Rules

Background

• FDTL norms are safety regulations issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation that determine how long pilots can be on duty, how many hours they can fly, how many night landings are permitted, and the minimum rest period they should receive.
• These norms are designed to prevent pilot fatigue, reduce human error, and enhance aviation safety and are in line with international aviation standards.

New FDTL Rules

• Increased weekly rest period: Pilots must now receive 48 consecutive hours of rest, up from 36 previously.
• Night landing limit: Pilots can only perform two night landings, up from six previously.
  • Night duty is not permitted more than twice in a row.
• Mandatory roster adjustment: Airlines must redesign crew rosters to accommodate the new limits.
• Quarterly fatigue reporting: Airlines must regularly submit fatigue risk reports to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Objective

• Fatigue is a major operational risk in the aviation sector, especially during morning departures and night landings.
• The new FDTL rules aim to improve pilot alertness, reduce human error, and align India's aviation safety standards with global standards.

Status of India's Aviation Sector

• Global ranking: India is the third-largest domestic aviation market after the United States and China. Urbanization, tourism, and the expanding middle class are driving increasing passenger numbers.
• Passenger Traffic Growth: Passenger traffic is expected to increase sixfold to approximately 1.1 billion by 2040.
• Economic Contribution: By 2025, the aviation sector supports over 7.7 million jobs (direct and indirect) and contributes 1.5% to India's GDP.
• Fleet Strength: The Indian fleet accounts for approximately 2.4% of the global fleet. The fleet size has grown rapidly due to airline expansion and new aircraft orders.
• Airport Infrastructure Expansion: The number of operational airports increased from 74 in 2014 to 163 in 2025. India aims to have 350-400 airports by 2047.
  • Special attention is being given to greenfield airports and PPP-based development.

Indian Civil Aviation Regulation

• Air Corporations Act, 1953: Nine airline companies were nationalized. State-owned airlines dominated the sector until the mid-1990s.
• Open Skies Policy (1990-94): Private air taxi operators were permitted. The monopoly of Indian Airlines (IA) and Air India (AI) was ended.
• Indian Aircraft Act, 2024: It replaces the colonial-era Aircraft Act, 1934 and aligns India's aviation laws with ICAO standards and the Chicago Convention.
• It promotes Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat in aviation manufacturing, introduces simplified licensing and regulatory procedures, and modernizes India's overall aviation governance structure by providing a structured appeals mechanism.

Key Challenges in India's Aviation Sector

• Pilot and Crew Shortage: Rapid growth in air traffic has created a mismatch between the demand and availability of trained pilots, cabin crew, and maintenance staff.
  • New safety norms such as FDTL have further increased manpower requirements, leading to frequent flight cancellations, delays, and operational disruptions because airlines have not previously recruited and trained enough pilots to meet the new staffing requirements.
• Airport Infrastructure Constraints: Major airports such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru operate at near-full capacity, leading to runway congestion, parking shortages, and airspace congestion, especially during peak hours.
• High Operating Costs: Airlines face significant financial pressure due to high aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices, dollar-denominated aircraft leasing costs, and rising maintenance costs.
• Aggressive capacity and scheduling practices: Airlines often announce ambitious flight schedules without adequate backup crews or additional aircraft, increasing the risk of widespread flight cancellations during disruptions.
• Passenger protection and grievance redressal: During large-scale disruptions, passengers face communication problems, weak compensation mechanisms, and limited legal remedies.
• Dependence on foreign aircraft and supply chains: Due to its heavy reliance on imported aircraft, engines, and spare parts, the sector faces disruptions in global supply chains and currency fluctuations.
• Exchange rate volatility: The decline in the value of the Indian rupee against the US dollar increases airline costs, as major expenses such as aircraft leasing and fuel imports are denominated in dollars.
• Aviation safety risks: Recent accidents and increased traffic in 2025 highlight concerns about safety oversight and emergency response.

Measures to Strengthen India's Aviation Sector

• Temporary Regulatory Relief for Stabilization: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted IndiGo a one-time temporary exemption from certain night operations. This short-term relief should be used only for operational stabilization, not for long-term dependence.
  • FDTL norms should not be weakened as fatigue management is critical to aviation safety.
• Building Operational Buffer: Standby pilots, reserve cabin crew, and additional aircraft should be maintained to address disruptions during peak seasons and technical failures.
• Improving Passenger Communication and Compensation: Real-time updates, automatic refunds, and compensation should be strengthened to restore public confidence.
• Promoting Sustainable Aviation: Promoting Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), energy-efficient airports, and compliance with ICAO's Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) should be encouraged for carbon reduction.
• Airspace Modernisation: There is a need to accelerate the proposed civil air traffic management system with advanced-surface movement and control systems to optimise airspace utilisation and reduce delays.