New DGCA framework aims to combat pilot fatigue, prioritise flight safety; stakeholder feedback sought

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued draft guidelines for a new Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) for airlines with the proposed system designed to work alongside the existing Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules. These rules set maximum working hours for pilots and crew.

The move comes amid rising concerns about pilot fatigue and its impact on flight safety. Fatigue among crew members can slow reaction times, affect decision-making, and in some cases, compromise safety. With India’s aviation sector expanding rapidly, experts say managing pilot fatigue is becoming as important as aircraft maintenance or air traffic control.

The DGCA’s draft advisory, titled ‘Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) Implementation for Flight Crew Members in Scheduled Air Transport Operations’, lays out a framework that relies on scientific, data-driven approaches. Key elements of FRMS include maximum flight time and duty limits based on scientific principles, minimum rest requirements to ensure proper recovery, monitoring systems to track safety and performance outcomes and a strong approval and oversight process led by the DGCA.

Airlines will have the flexibility to choose whether they want to continue with only the prescriptive FDTL rules, fully implement FRMS, or adopt a hybrid model combining both. However, DGCA has made it clear that airlines can implement FRMS only if they set up a functioning Fatigue Safety Action Group (FSAG), consisting of representatives from multiple departments within the airline.

The guidelines also include grandfathering and transition provisions. Airlines will be given a 12-month grace period from the date of the circular to comply with the new framework. A phased rollout is planned, allowing operators to gradually shift from current FDTL rules to a more data-driven FRMS.

According to pilots familiar with the development, the DGCA has sought feedback from stakeholders, including airlines and pilot associations, until September 15.

One pilot told PTI that while the step is welcome, “the real test will be in how seriously airlines implement these measures, instead of treating them as just paperwork.”

India is one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, with airlines collectively ordering more than 1,700 new aircraft. Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu has said that India will need 30,000 pilots over the next 15–20 years to support this growth.

With such rapid expansion, experts warn that long duty hours, irregular sleep cycles, and increasing traffic can put more pressure on pilots. Unlike mechanical faults that can be repaired, fatigue is invisible and depends heavily on how airlines manage crew schedules. Studies worldwide have shown that fatigue can affect judgment in ways similar to alcohol impairment.

By introducing FRMS, the DGCA hopes to create a more proactive safety culture, where pilot well-being becomes central to flight safety.