The turbulence IndiGo faced in the past two days is set to cease, with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) retracting its order concerning crew rosters. Ram Mohan Naidu informed Home Minister Amit Shah about the situation, leading to the withdrawal of the order. DGCA had previously enforced a rule preventing crew members from using leave in place of weekly rest. This regulation has now been repealed, effective immediately, following a reassessment of the provision stated in DGCA-22011/04/2021-FSD dated 20.01.2025, which clarified that no leave could replace weekly rest.
Source: aajtak
Why was this decision made?
Several airlines approached the DGCA, highlighting ongoing operational disruptions. To ensure continuity and stability of flight operations, a review of the provision that no leave could replace the weekly rest was deemed necessary.
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Which rule was rescinded?
The DGCA withdrew the directive mentioned in its prior communication (dated 20.01.2025), which stated no leave could replace weekly rest. This decision, approved by the Competent Authority, is now effective instantly.
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What is the Roster Crisis?
IndiGo attributes the ongoing disruptions to technical glitches, weather conditions, and newly implemented crew rostering rules. The airline states that the flight duty time limitation (FDTL) rules, effective since November 1st, have imposed limits on flight hours, necessitating extended rest periods for pilots and crew.
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According to the BBC report, the Federation of Indian Pilots argues that these new rules are not to blame for flight cancellations, as they seem to have no effect on other airlines. Understanding the aviation rules IndiGo cites as the basis for its difficulties is crucial.
What were the new FDTL rules?
Following a directive from the Delhi High Court, DGCA enforced new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) regulations on November 1st, effective immediately. These updates extended weekly rest periods to 48 hours and altered night duty hours, allowing only two landings a week during nighttime rather than six, restricting the number of landings a pilot can make between midnight and 6 a.m.
DGCA's Appeal...
Amid the ongoing disruptions affecting flights nationwide, DGCA has issued an appeal to all pilot associations. It stressed the need for pilot cooperation due to the rising stress in air travel. DGCA warned that foggy weather and holiday crowds could worsen delays, urging airlines to prepare for the increased passenger numbers ahead of the peak travel and wedding season.
Source: aajtak
DGCA called for smooth operations, minimal delays, and reduced cancellations, emphasizing the need for coordination between pilots and airlines. The aviation regulator reiterated its commitment to passenger safety and the implementation of FDTL CAR (Flight Duty Time Limitations).
The DGCA emphasized that avoiding discomfort to passengers is its goal, making pilot support crucial in ensuring sustained flight operations. With disruptions impacting flights across the country, pilot cooperation is deemed exceptionally important.
