Give us a timeline of implementing the new rules: DGCA to airlines
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has sought a timeline from airlines as to when they can implement the new pilot rest duty rules.
DGCA’s move comes after the Delhi High Court, last week asked the regulator for a tentative date for implementation of the revised duty time norms for pilots. The court was hearing a writ petition filed by multiple pilot unions, challenging the DGCA rules on pilot’s duty hours.
Prominent among them is a case filed by the Federation of Indian Pilots, which has more than 5,000 members.
“In light of the observations made by the honorable court during the aforesaid hearing, you may kindly indicate the timeline required to prepare a roadmap for implementation of the revised Flight Duty Time Limit rules and timeline for subsequent implementation of the same,” DGCA said in similar but separate letters to airlines dated April 10, which was reviewed by ET.
Late last month, DGCA put the new rules in indefinite abeyance after facing severe resistance from airlines that warned the rules will force them to cancel 20% of the flights at the peak of the summer travel season.
DGCA’s reversal of position came within days after the regulator itself acknowledged fatigue of pilots as a concern. The DGCA had said that the multiple incidents of death of pilots due to punishing schedules should serve as urgent wake up calls.
People aware of the development said that DGCA’s decision to withhold the new rules came due the Ministry of Civil Aviation decided that cancellation of flights during the
