New Pilot Duty Rules To Be Rolled Out In Two Phases: DGCA Tells Delhi High Court

The aviation regulator urged the Delhi High Court on Thursday to dismiss a writ petition filed by unions, contending that a two-phased timeline had been set to ensure adequate rest for pilots in order to minimise the risk of untoward incidents, while maintaining operational stability for airlines.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation submitted a detailed plan to the high court for enforcing the revised rules from July.

"Out of 22 clauses, 15 clauses would be implemented from 01.07.2025 and the remaining 7 clauses would be rolled out from 01.11.2025," the DGCA said in an affidavit signed by Assistant Director (Operations) Himanshu Srivastava.

The 15 clauses that will be implemented from July include the extended rest period, while seven clauses that will take effect on Nov. 1 are related to night duty, according to the affidavit.

In January last year, the DGCA introduced new pilot duty norms, including increasing weekly rest from 36 to 48 hours and limiting the number of night flights a pilot can operate. However, these changes were put on hold due to severe resistance from airlines, forcing pilots' unions to approach the court. After several rounds of court-ordered mediation with airlines and pilot associations, the aviation regulator agreed to a staggered implementation of its proposed flight duty time limitation or the FDTL norms.

The revised rules limit night flight time to eight hours and allow for a maximum of two landings. The definition of the night period has been altered to span from midnight to 6 a.m., an extension from the previous midnight to 5 a.m. Airlines had warned that this expanded night window could lead to severe operational disruptions.

Pilots operating on ultra-long-range routes will be guaranteed a minimum of 120 hours without any duties, as per the revised norms. In the event of unexpected delays, flight time may be extended by a maximum of one hour, and the flight duty period may be extended by up to two hours. However, there will be limits in place to manage cumulative fatigue.

Budget carriers Indigo and SpiceJet opposed the changes to night duty regulation. Airlines had even warned that the rules would "force" them to cancel 20% of the flights at the peak of the summer travel season.

Many pilots rue that due to increased international flying, the quantum of night flying had increased exponentially without adequate rest. Several pilot bodies, including the Federation of Indian Pilots, Air India Pilots' Union, Indian Commercial Pilots' Association and the Indian Pilots Guild, filed a writ petition in the high court in 2019 against the norms formulated by the regulator on pilot duty and rest hours.

The Federation of Indian Airlines, an industry body, had opposed the new norms on the ground that the six-month timeline for implementation was "inadequate" as enhanced rest meant airlines would now need to hire 10–20% more pilots, failing which there would be flight cancellations.

In April 2024, the DGCA had asked Indian carriers to suggest a timeline to prepare and implement the new FDTL norms for pilots.

In its affidavit, the DGCA urged the court to consider the revised plan as the final roadmap for implementing Civil Aviation Requirements Section 7 Part III under the Aircraft Act of 1934. The plan was set after considering stakeholder input, expert committee opinions, and national and international deliberations, according to the DGCA. "It is therefore most humbly prayed that the writ petition be disposed of and till such time the existing CAR be directed to be in operation."

The high court will hear the matter next on Feb. 24.