DGCA to relax pilot duty time rules from November 1

NEW DELHI: India will by Saturday implement relaxed flight duty time rules for pilots to ensure the cockpit crew operating flights are not fatigued. DGCA on Wednesday said the seven remaining clauses of revised flight duty time limitations (FDTL) would be implemented from Nov 1. Fifteen clauses of the relaxed rules were implemented on July 1, 2025.

Pilots of big Indian carriers have long complained about punishing rosters and warned having fatigued pilots adversely impacts safety. "The implementation of (relaxed FDTL rules) has been undertaken in a structured and pha-sed manner, taking into consideration flight safety, operational feasibility, and overall dynamics of civil aviation operations," DGCA said.