The Delhi High Court has raised concerns regarding the "indefinite" relaxation granted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to airlines concerning the implementation of new regulations governing pilots' weekly rest and leave. A bench comprising Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia questioned the rationale behind the DGCA's decision to provide this relaxation, especially concerning public safety and potential pilot fatigue.
The court's scrutiny stems from a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the DGCA's move to keep the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules in abeyance. These rules, designed to enhance safety by managing pilot fatigue, limit duty hours, increase rest periods, and reduce night landings. The revised norms, implemented in phases throughout 2025, increased the mandatory weekly rest for pilots from 36 to 48 hours and reduced night landings, aligning with global fatigue-risk management standards.
The DGCA's relaxation came after IndiGo, a major domestic airline, experienced significant operational disruptions in early December 2025, including numerous flight cancellations, due to difficulties complying with the new FDTL rules. To mitigate passenger inconvenience, the DGCA temporarily suspended certain provisions of the rules and granted exemptions to IndiGo until February 10, 2026. Specifically, the DGCA allowed airlines to substitute pilots' leave (casual, sick, or earned) with weekly rest, a practice previously prohibited.
However, the court questioned why the norm on non-substitution of weekly rest and leaves was withdrawn without a specific deadline, while a temporary relaxation was given to IndiGo for night duty norms until February 10. The court sought clarification on the rationale behind this "indefinite" withdrawal and its applicability to all airlines.
During the proceedings, the DGCA's counsel stated that the FDTL rules regarding weekly rest for pilots are non-negotiable, with no relaxations granted to any airline. She clarified that the weekly rest provision remains in full force and has not been withdrawn or diluted. However, she acknowledged that a temporary relaxation was given to IndiGo concerning redefined night hours, increased night landings, and more flexible consecutive night duties to stabilize operations after the December disruptions.
The court has directed the DGCA and IndiGo to file their responses to the PIL within two weeks. The case will be heard next in April. The court emphasized that the regulations have a direct link with passenger safety and must be implemented unless challenged or flawed. The court acknowledged the petitioner's concerns, noting their background as a former aircraft engineer and the potential impact on public safety.
The DGCA maintains that the decision to withdraw the restriction on substituting leave for weekly rest was taken after monitoring the situation following the FDTL implementation on November 1, 2025, and considering an audit and representations from airlines regarding pilots combining different types of offs. The DGCA clarified that even after the December 5 decision, weekly rest for pilots remains mandatory under the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR), while leaves are governed by the contract between the pilot and the airline.
The outcome of this case could significantly impact how pilot fatigue is managed in India and the balance between airline operations and passenger safety.
