Pilots flag FDTL delays, warn of rising fatigue risks

Representation pic

The Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA India) has written to the Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), raising concerns over the delayed and partial implementation of the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) framework, which was mandated by the court to be fully enforced from November 1, 2025.

In its letter, the association flagged growing exemptions granted to airlines, warning that these deviations are undermining the core objective of the norms - preventing pilot fatigue and ensuring flight safety.

The letter also referenced the deaths of two captains, Captain Tarundeep Singh and Captain Arjun Naidu, on April 29 and 30, 2026, to underline the urgency of the issue.

FDTL regulations are designed to:

>> Limit pilot duty hours
>> Ensure adequate rest periods
>> Reduce fatigue-related safety risks

ALPA India highlighted three major risks:

>> Flight safety
>> Regulatory credibility
>> Pilot well-being

What the letter says

On exemptions granted to airlines, the association stated, "The continued grant of variations to operators has materially diluted the intent of the FDTL regulation." It added, "These variations, originally conceived as transitional measures, have effectively become the norm."

Six-point demand to DGCA

1 Issue a time-bound roadmap for full FDTL implementation
2 Progressively withdraw all temporary variations
3 Reinstate provisions barring substitution of leave for weekly rest
4 Ensure transparent fatigue reporting with quarterly public disclosures
5 Release pending inquiry reports and medical fitness data
6 Reject any proposals that dilute FDTL norms

What pilots are demanding

>> Full and uniform implementation of FDTL provisions
>> Gradual reinstatement of rules disallowing substitution of leave for weekly rest
>> Mandatory quarterly fatigue reports in the public domain
>> Regulatory audit of fatigue reporting, including acceptance rates and corrective actions

Pending disclosures flagged

The letter raised concerns over a lack of transparency, stating that despite multiple representations, including under the RTI Act, the inquiry report into the IndiGo disruption in December 2025 has not been shared.

Voices from the cockpit

An IndiGo pilot,
‘The essence of the norms has gotten diluted because of the commercial interests of the airlines. What started as temporary exemptions has now become the norm'

A crew member,
‘We have seen pilots being changed on flights after crossing FDTL limits, which is necessary for safety. But for airlines, it can mean loss of business'

Expert view

Retired pilot KVJ Rao
‘All aviation rules are framed with safety as the priority. Granting exemptions defeats their purpose. Pilots and crew are often hesitant to raise concerns within airlines due to fear of losing their jobs'