DGCA Puts New Pilot Rest Rule Behind IndiGo Flight Cancellations on Hold

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is considering a temporary hold on the new pilot rest and duty-hour regulations that have been linked to the recent large-scale flight cancellations by IndiGo. This decision follows a period of significant disruption, with the airline cancelling over 1,000 flights in recent days, affecting airports across the country. IndiGo has requested a temporary exemption from a key clause that limits the number of night landings pilots can perform.

The new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules, aimed at reducing pilot fatigue, were implemented in two phases, with the second phase taking effect on November 1. This second phase introduced stricter regulations, including capping night-time landings between midnight and 6 am and increasing the mandatory weekly rest period for pilots from 36 to 48 hours. While the DGCA initially delayed the second phase to allow airlines time to prepare their rosters, the implementation has presented unforeseen challenges.

IndiGo has stated that it will reduce flights starting December 8th to mitigate ongoing disruptions and anticipates a full restoration of stable operations by February 10, 2026. The airline has attributed the cancellations to misjudgment and planning gaps during the rollout of the second phase of the FDTL norms, leading to crew shortages that exceeded their initial estimates. The DGCA has acknowledged that the disruptions stemmed from these miscalculations in implementing the revised duty time limitations.

The DGCA has requested that IndiGo submit a detailed roadmap outlining their plans for crew hiring, aircraft induction timelines, training requirements, roster restructuring, and safety-risk assessments. The regulator has directed IndiGo to submit the necessary FDTL relaxations needed to normalize flight operations for review. A government source indicated that IndiGo's request for relief from the provisions is under consideration.

According to the Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA), the recent flight cancellations by IndiGo may be a deliberate attempt to weaken the new FDTL norms. Some experts suggest that IndiGo did not adequately prepare for the implementation of the revised rules, despite a two-year preparatory window provided by the DGCA. This lack of preparation allegedly included a hiring freeze and a pilot pay freeze, exacerbating the crew shortage.

The DGCA's potential waiver highlights the challenges of balancing safety regulations with the operational realities of the airline industry. The situation has also drawn attention to the importance of proactive planning and resource management by airlines when adapting to regulatory changes. As IndiGo works to restore its flight schedules, the DGCA's review and the airline's mitigation plan will be critical in ensuring minimal disruption to passengers while upholding safety standards.