India's DGCA delays new pilot rest and duty time rules due to potential flight cancellations and pilot shortage.
India's aviation regulator, the DGCA, has delayed the implementation of new rules regarding pilot rest and duty times, initially set for June 1. The rules aimed to increase weekly rest periods to 48 hours from 36 and cut pilots' night flight duty times to a maximum of 10 hours from 13. The decision follows warnings from the Federation of Indian Airlines, which stated that meeting the new rules could force the cancellation of up to one-fifth of flights due to the need to hire and train 25% more pilots. The delay in implementing the new rules follows a review of data on pilot fatigue after a pilot for budget carrier IndiGo collapsed and died in August before his flight.
March 26, 2024
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