Pilots’ Body Warns DGCA of Safety Risks from Continued FDTL Relaxations

The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA India) has voiced serious concerns to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regarding the continued relaxation of Flight Duty Time Limitations (FTL). In a strongly worded letter dated May 1, ALPA India highlighted that these repeated exemptions, initially intended as transitional measures, have become the norm, effectively undermining the FTL framework and allowing airlines to operate with inadequate safety buffers against pilot fatigue. This situation is particularly alarming in light of two recent pilot deaths attributed to heart attacks, underscoring the critical need for robust fatigue management.

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We write to place on record a set of concerns that bear directly on flight safety, regulatory credibility, and the well-being of flight crew, especially in view of the recent death of pilots in this week.

ALPA India emphasized that the current practices dilute the intent of the FTL regulations and perpetuate scheduling practices that push flight crews to their limits. The association is calling for a clear, time-bound roadmap for the complete and uniform implementation of FTL provisions across all operators. This, they argue, is essential for ensuring regulatory certainty and operational clarity, while prioritizing the well-being of flight crew and the safety of air travel.

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These variations, originally conceived as transitional measures, have effectively become the norm. This defeats the purpose of fatigue management framework and perpetuates scheduling practices that operate at or near regulatory limits without adequate safety buffers.

Furthermore, the pilots’ body raised red flags about reduced weekly rest periods, a low acceptance rate of fatigue reports by airlines, and a general lack of transparency in pilot health and safety data. ALPA India pointed to Right to Information (RTI) data indicating an alarmingly low acceptance rate of fatigue reports, which is inconsistent with the principles of a just safety culture and effective fatigue risk management. They are advocating for airlines to submit standardized quarterly fatigue report data, which should be made public on the DGCA website and subject to regulatory review and audit. This push for transparency is crucial for building trust and ensuring that safety remains paramount in India's aviation sector.

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Available information obtained through RTI indicates an alarmingly low rate of acceptance of fatigue reports by (airline) operators. Such trends are inconsistent with the principles of a just safety culture and undermine fatigue risk management systems.