Why in the news?
India’s largest airline IndiGo faced severe flight disruptions in early December 2025 due to shortage of flight crew under revised Flight Duty Time Limitation rules, prompting regulatory intervention.
What is FDTL?
Rules that regulate pilot duty hours, night operations, number of landings, and mandatory rest periods to manage pilot fatigue and ensure safety.
New FDTL Norms
Implemented in two stages:
- July 1 — Extended weekly rest for pilots to 48 hours from 36
- November 1 — Major changes for night operations
- Extended definition of night hours
- Capped night landings to two
Restricted consecutive night duties to two days a week
Why IndiGo was hit hardest
- Very large scale of operations with lean staffing
- High proportion of night and early morning flights
Temporary Relief by DGCA (till February 10, 2026)
- Night defined as midnight to 5 am instead of midnight to 6 am for IndiGo A320 pilots
- Night landings allowed up to six instead of two
- Clause restricting substitution of mandatory weekly rest withdrawn
- 12 DGCA-deputed flight operations inspectors allowed to fly for IndiGo temporarily
- Exemption reviewed every two weeks with progress report requirements
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