Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has said that the latest norms proposed to combat pilot fatigue, which involve increased rest hours, will establish a supportive framework for pilots.
Amid growing apprehensions regarding pilot fatigue, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) put forth several modifications to the regulations governing the duty hours of flight crews in November 2023. These changes include providing additional rest time for pilots.
Proposed revisions have been suggested for the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) related to ‘Duty Period, Flight Duty Period, Flight Time Limitations, and Prescribed Rest Periods – Flight Crew Engaged in Scheduled Air Transport Operations.’
Several major carriers, including Air India and IndiGo, have implemented tools to analyze and monitor pilot fatigue.
What did Scindia say?
The Minister said that the CARs have been reviewed for pilot fatigue issues, adding that the government is implementing a new set of rules to ensure pilot fatigue which not only align with international standards but also to early sunrise in regions around India. “We look at the night hours on an expanded (basis) as opposed to generally 0100 hours to 0500 hours, we are looking at 1100 to 1200 hours, to 0500 hours,” he said.
“We are looking to expanding that period, which is going to be the night shift period, thereby putting a much more facilitative regime for pilots,” he added.
The minister additionally mentioned that the regulatory body is aiming to guarantee a 48-hour rest period instead of the current 36-hour rest period.
In December, a senior official from DGCA reported that the regulatory body has received numerous comments regarding the proposed changes to the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR).
One of the suggestions was that airlines should ensure a minimum continuous weekly rest of 48 hours, incorporating two local nights for pilots. This proposal aimed to prevent more than 168 hours between the conclusion of one weekly rest period and the commencement of the next.
(With PTI inputs)