Summary
- Air India was fined $95,000 for crew rest violations, including inadequate rest before and after long-haul flights.
- DGCA increased the minimum weekly rest for pilots from 36 to 48 hours.
- The DGCA aims to roll out a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS).
Regulators have fined Air India $95,000 (INR 8,000,000) for violating crew rest rules, finding the airline had breached the Flight Time Limitations. The topic of crew rest and pilot fatigue is taken seriously by India’s regulators after an IndiGo pilot’s death last year, which was attributed to inadequate rest.
Air India was fined following an audit by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which flagged a series of violations. The Times of India reports that the regulator’s findings included crew Flight Time Limitation (FTL) breaches and failure to provide adequate rest before, after, and during layovers when operating long-haul flights.
This issue came into particular scrutiny by the DGCA after an IndiGo pilot last summer collapsed and passed away before his flight last year. As Reuters reported last year, his death encouraged other pilots to file complaints. Some claimed to be “stretched to the brink by airlines, even though they comply with duty time regulations.” Since then, the regulators have actively made regulatory changes concerning crew rest rules, such as increasing the minimum weekly rest period from 36 hours to 48 hours in January 2024.
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During the audit, the DGCA also found other violations such as both pilots operating a flight being over the age of 60, erroneously marked training records and duty overlaps. The reports state that the regulators had issued a show-cause notice to the airline at the beginning of the month.
However, a fine was issued on Friday, as the DGCA deemed the response from the airline to be “satisfactory.”
As per the rules set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), if one pilot is aged 60 or above, the co-pilot has to be under 60. Other rules include that pilots over 60 cannot perform single pilot operations and are required to perform their medical every six months.
Simple Flying has contacted Air India for comment but has not received a response at the time of publication.
More pilots needed
Since the revised duty limitations came into place earlier this year, carriers in India have been forced to change their rostering and flight times due to shortages of flight crew. However, it became clear that more pilots are needed nationwide.
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Indian carrier Vistara, which is being merged into the Air India brands, has said it plans to increase its number of pilots by 15 to 20% to overcome the effects of implementing the new flight duty time limitations. Similarly, Air India is hiring pilots as the airline expands its route network and takes delivery of new aircraft.
The carrier also announced the launch of its own cadet pilot program earlier this year, which would see new pilots joining the program being directly integrated into the airline upon course completion.
Additional actions
The DGCA takes this concern seriously. Earlier this year, the regulator also mandated that all Indian carriers submit quarterly reports of fatigue reported by pilots and what responsive actions were taken by the respective airlines. It was also announced that a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) would be implemented soon.
Indian Airlines Request Regulator To Delay New Pilot Rest Rules For A Year
The new rules come into effect on June 1.
Fatigue is always a concern for pilots worldwide, especially with the rise of long-haul flights. Sleep deprivation and fatigue can be bad for a pilot’s health. There are also significant flight safety hazards, as a pilot must be alert when operating a flight.
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Airlines like IndiGo are already taking proactive measures and testing wrist devices that collect data, monitor pilot alertness, and detect fatigue.
What do you think of the new rules in place by the DGCA? Let us know in the comments below!