An Air India Express pilot tragically passed away in the national capital on Wednesday (April 9) after reportedly experiencing health issues shortly after landing a flight from Srinagar to Delhi, according to a PTI report.
The pilot, who was in his late 30s, had just completed operating a scheduled flight when he began feeling unwell upon arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but sadly could not be revived.
According to a report in The Telegraph, colleagues and airline staff later disclosed that the pilot, identified as Armaan, had vomited in the cockpit after landing and subsequently suffered a cardiac arrest at the airline’s dispatch office at the airport.
Air India Express issues official statement
In an official statement issued on Thursday (April 10), a spokesperson for Air India Express expressed deep sorrow over the loss.
“We deeply regret the loss of a valued colleague due to a medical condition… we are extending all possible assistance to them as we all cope with this tremendous loss,” the airline said.
The airline also urged the public and media to respect the privacy of the pilot’s family and avoid unfounded speculation during this difficult time.
“We request all concerned to respect privacy at this time and avoid unnecessary speculation while we commit to assisting the relevant authorities in due process,” the statement added.
DGCA’s pilot fatigue norms deferred
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has deferred the rollout of the revised pilot rest regulations, which were originally scheduled to come into force in June last year. The new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms were designed to address pilot fatigue by increasing weekly rest periods from 36 to 48 hours and reducing permissible night flying hours from 13 to 10.
Airlines, citing the need to recruit 20–25% more pilots to comply with the new rules, had sought an extension of 8 to 10 months. While the DGCA initially maintained the implementation timeline, it has now allowed airlines to continue following the 2019 FDTL guidelines until their updated rosters receive formal approval. According to officials, the postponement will enable a more comprehensive review of the proposed regulations.