'Commercial convenience can't override safety': Pilots' body flags proposed relaxation of flight duty norms

Pilots' body FIP has raised concerns about proposed relaxations for flight duty norms, saying full implementation of the revised norms should not be extended till March 2027.

In a letter to Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) said that "commercial/ operational convenience cannot take precedence over mandatory safety requirements".

The revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) are being implemented in a phased manner, with the first phase of implementation done in July 2025.

The implementation of the second phase of the norms, that includes restrictions on the number of night landings, has been postponed and is to come into force from November this year.

However, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is likely to give more time to airlines till March 2027 for implementing the norms.

In its letter, dated October 21, FIP sought the intervention of the ministry and "withdraw the extension, subject to the governing legal framework and the applicable judicial directions, rather than allow the dispensations to remain in force until 31 March 2027 by default".

The grouping has also urged the civil aviation ministry to direct DGCA to undertake an airline-wise assessment of qualified and available pilot strength, fleet requirements, recruitment, training, rostering and reserve capacity, rather than rely on generalised claims of pilot shortages.

Also, the regulator should provide a reasoned written justification for extending the dispensations from October 31, 2026 to March 31, 2027, including the supporting manpower data, operational necessity assessment and safety-risk analysis, FIP said.

There were no immediate comments from DGCA.

Further, FIP has said that a meeting of pilots' associations should be convened before taking any decision regarding implementation of the FDTL requirements, and ensure that their written submissions are formally considered.

"The extension of the dispensations until 31 March 2027, after the earlier expiry date of 31 October 2026, therefore requires urgent reconsideration.

"The ministry must ensure that the extension rests on lawful authority, demonstrable necessity and a properly documented assessment of safety risks, and that it remains consistent with the directions of the Hon'ble Delhi High Court," the letter said.