ALPA highlighted that airlines, including IndiGo, were aware of the revised FDTL norms issued by the DGCA in January 2024, with phased implementation beginning later that year
Experts say some airlines may be using flight delays to pressure regulators into relaxing FDTL norms, potentially compromising pilot safety. Representational Pic
The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA) on Thursday raised concerns over recent flight cancellations across the country, which have been largely attributed to a pilot shortage linked to new Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) regulations. The association questioned whether the crisis stems from poor airline planning, regulatory oversight by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), or a combination of factors affecting market fairness.
ALPA highlighted that airlines, including IndiGo, were aware of the revised FDTL norms issued by the DGCA in January 2024, with phased implementation beginning later that year. Despite sufficient lead time, many carriers reportedly failed to properly adjust crew rosters 15 days in advance as required, suggesting an initial underestimation or delay in strategic planning to ensure adequate pilot availability.
Aviation experts have also speculated that some airlines might be using flight delays and cancellations as an “immature pressure tactic” to compel regulators to relax or grant dispensations for the stricter FDTL norms, potentially compromising the safety intent of these rules designed to reduce pilot fatigue.
Slot hoarding has also come under scrutiny. The practice, which involves airlines securing more flight slots than they can effectively operate, is a common issue in competitive aviation. Slot allocation is usually based on historical usage, or “grandfather rights,” along with the airline’s proposed schedule. Some carriers, especially during the winter schedule, may “hoard” premium slots desired by rivals but fail to utilise them adequately, raising concerns over misuse.
The DGCA’s slot recapture policy, aligned with international standards, requires airlines to operate a minimum of around 80 per cent of their allocated slots to retain these rights for the next season. ALPA noted that if airlines fail to meet this threshold, particularly due to self-inflicted pilot shortages, the DGCA has the authority to revoke and reallocate slots to carriers capable of utilising them.
On competitor capacity, ALPA pointed to Air India/AIX (Tata Group), currently in an expansion phase, but accused of misusing FDTL waivers, a practice that may be widespread across the industry. Akasa Air, meanwhile, has reportedly faced excess pilots due to delays in aircraft deliveries, indicating it might have the capacity to absorb more slots if resources and routes align.
ALPA strongly warned against granting continuous or unwarranted exemptions to the FDTL norms, stressing that such relaxations could compromise passenger and crew safety. The association urged that any relaxation should be grounded in scientific assessment and adequate risk mitigation.
ALPA criticised dominant airlines for failing in proactive resource planning and potentially pressuring regulators to dilute the FDTL norms for commercial gain. The association called on the DGCA to rigorously assess pilot adequacy when granting flight slots and approving schedules, especially as the aviation sector transitions to the newer Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS).
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