DGCA Temporarily Eases Pilot Duty Regulations for Air India Long-Haul Flights Due to Middle East Airspace Restrictions

Aviation safety regulator DGCA has implemented temporary relaxations in flight duty regulations for Air India’s long-haul flights due to extended routes necessitated by airspace restrictions in the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran. As a result of these restrictions, Air India is rerouting many of its flights to Europe and North America through Egypt, which has led to longer flying hours and increased duty periods for pilots. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has allowed these exemptions until April 30, although there has been no immediate comment from Air India or the DGCA regarding the changes.

Details of the DGCA Relaxations

The DGCA’s temporary relaxations specifically target long-haul flights operated with two pilots. Under the new guidelines, the regulator has extended the Flight Time (FT) limit by 1 hour and 30 minutes, allowing it to reach a maximum of 11 hours and 30 minutes. Additionally, the Flight Duty Period (FDP) has been increased by 1 hour and 45 minutes, now permitting a maximum of 11 hours and 45 minutes. Furthermore, the DGCA has relaxed the requirement for a 30-minute roster planning buffer. Typically, the maximum FT and FDP are capped at 10 hours and 13 hours, respectively. Flight Time is defined as the duration from when an aircraft begins its take-off roll until it comes to a complete stop at the end of the flight. In contrast, the Flight Duty Period starts when a crew member reports for duty and concludes when the engines are shut down after the final flight.

Concerns Over Compliance

Despite the DGCA’s temporary relief measures, there are concerns regarding compliance with the new regulations. Reports indicate that Air India may be exceeding the permitted limits in at least one instance. Sources have claimed that the airline has scheduled its Jeddah flight with an FDP of 11 hours and 55 minutes, which surpasses the extended ceiling of 11 hours and 45 minutes allowed under the new exemptions. A source noted that while the FDP has been extended, Air India is allegedly requiring its pilots to operate flights that exceed the allowed limits by 10 minutes. This situation raises questions about the adherence to safety regulations during a period of heightened operational challenges.

Impact of Airspace Restrictions

The changes in flight routing are a direct response to the escalating conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran, which has resulted in significant airspace restrictions across the Middle East. Air India has adjusted its flight paths to Europe and North America, opting for routes through Oman, southern Saudi Arabia, and Egypt instead of more direct paths that traverse restricted airspace. For certain ultra-long-haul services, the airline is also making technical stops in Rome. It remains unclear whether other airlines, such as IndiGo, have received similar temporary exemptions for their long-haul operations.

Wider Disruptions in UAE Operations

The temporary relaxations in duty norms come amid broader disruptions affecting Indian carriers operating in the region. On Sunday, Air India canceled several flights to the UAE, including services to Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi, following directives from airport authorities to reduce operations due to the ongoing crisis in West Asia. In a statement on social media, Air India announced that it was compelled to curtail its operations in light of the latest instructions from UAE airport authorities. On that day, the airline operated only one return flight from Delhi to Dubai, while four out of five planned flights to Dubai were canceled. Passengers affected by these cancellations were offered options for free rebooking or full refunds. The aviation sector continues to face challenges as the conflict disrupts air corridors and increases aviation fuel costs, prompting airlines to advise passengers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport.

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