DGCA Eases Pilot Duty Limits Amid Middle East Airspace Disruptions
DGCA temporarily relaxes pilot flight duty time limitation for long-haul flights: Official
The Economic Times
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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India has temporarily relaxed pilot flight duty time limitations for long-haul flights to ensure operational continuity amid airspace curbs caused by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The new regulations extend flight and duty periods to address pilot availability and fatigue.
- 01DGCA's temporary relaxation of pilot duty limits aims to ensure smooth flight operations.
- 02Flight Time (FT) extended by 1.30 hours to 11.30 hours; Flight Duty Period (FDP) extended by 1.45 hours to 11.45 hours.
- 03The changes respond to airspace restrictions due to conflicts involving the US, Israel, and Iran.
- 04Previous operational disruptions at IndiGo highlighted the need for regulatory adjustments.
- 05Increased monitoring measures will be implemented to ensure compliance by airlines.
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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has temporarily relaxed pilot flight duty time limitations for long-haul flights in response to significant airspace curbs in the Middle East due to ongoing conflicts involving the US, Israel, and Iran. This decision aims to ensure pilot availability and operational continuity for airlines. The new regulations extend the Flight Time (FT) to 11.30 hours and the Flight Duty Period (FDP) to 11.45 hours. These changes come after previous disruptions faced by IndiGo, which resulted in hundreds of flight cancellations and affected thousands of passengers. The DGCA had previously introduced stricter norms to combat pilot fatigue, mandating 48 hours of consecutive rest, an increase from the earlier 36 hours. To ensure compliance with these regulations, the DGCA will enhance monitoring of airline operations, focusing on roster integrity and crew availability.
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The relaxed duty limits may help airlines maintain flight schedules and reduce cancellations, benefiting passengers who rely on long-haul flights.
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