DGCA eases pilot duty norms for Air India amid Middle East airspace restrictions

Mumbai: To navigate the operational challenges posed by the ongoing Middle East conflict, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted temporary relaxations in Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) for Air India’s long-haul operations.

With Iranian and Iraqi airspaces currently restricted, Air India has been forced to reroute European and North American flights via Egypt, remarkably increasing total flying hours. In response, the aviation watchdog has extended the permissible duty limits for flights operated by two pilots until April 30.

According to sources, the DGCA has increased the Flight Time (FT) by 1.30 hours to a total of 11.30 hours, while the Flight Duty Period (FDP) has been extended by 1.45 hours to a limit of 11.45 hours. In addition, the mandatory 30-minute roster planning buffer has been waived.

However, the move has not been without controversy. Allegations have surfaced that the airline may already be pushing these new boundaries.

"While flight duty period (FDP) has been extended by 1.45 hours, Air India is forcing its pilots to operate Jeddah flight, which has an FDP of 11.55 hours, thus exceeding the allowed relaxations by 10-minutes," a source told PTI.

The escalating regional conflict, which intensified on February 28, has forced several carriers to adjust services. Air India's current flight paths utilise airspace over Oman, southern Saudi Arabia and Egypt, with some ultra-long-haul routes requiring technical stops in Rome. Neither Air India nor the DGCA has officially commented on the specific relaxations.

PTI