The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has proposed revisions to the flight duty time limitations (FDTL) for cabin crew, the first update in seven years, aimed at enhancing flight safety and improving crew well-being.

The draft regulations, released on Wednesday, put strong emphasis on ensuring adequate rest facilities and better fatigue management for crew members on board aircraft.

This follows the regulator’s earlier draft last month that focused on cockpit crew fatigue norms, signalling a broader effort to make India’s skies safer through scientifically managed rest and duty schedules.

What does the proposal include?

One of the most notable proposals is the requirement for airlines to provide independent rest areas with horizontal bunks for cabin crew. These must be conducive to rest or sleep, with the ability to recline at least 80° from vertical, and located away from the passenger cabin to ensure privacy, low noise, and controlled lighting.

The DGCA has also suggested that airlines augment their existing cabin crew strength, so that additional personnel can take over duties while others rest during long flights. This move could particularly benefit crews operating ultra-long-haul and red-eye flights.

For aircraft where bunks are not available, the draft calls for a ‘basic rest seat’ that reclines at least 40°, provides leg and foot support, and is separated from passengers by a curtain to create a darker and quieter environment.

Other changes

Recognising the impact of fatigue on safety, the DGCA has proposed several key changes:

• Extending the night break period from the current 12 midnight–5 am window to 12 midnight–6 am, a long-standing request from cabin crew unions.

• Restricting airlines from scheduling cabin crew for flight duty between midnight and 6 am on two consecutive nights, except once within a seven-day period.

• Increasing the minimum rest period before flight duty to 18 hours (up from 14 hours) for flights crossing more than three time zones.

The draft also encourages airlines to avoid pairing long duty periods with minimum rest periods, and to schedule sufficient rest after extended flight operations.

In another progressive step, the DGCA has asked operators to establish a confidential, non-punitive fatigue reporting system. Cabin crew members should be able to report fatigue without fear of disciplinary action, and airlines must retain these reports for at least a year for regulatory review. This aligns with global best practices under ICAO guidelines for fatigue risk management systems.

Analysts view this as a forward-looking regulatory update that balances operational efficiency with human performance and safety. With Indian airlines expanding rapidly and operating longer routes, the fatigue risk among crew members has become a critical concern. The DGCA’s draft, therefore, positions India’s aviation sector in step with international standards, especially at a time when the country’s airlines are taking on more wide-body and long-haul operations.

Airlines and other stakeholders have been given time until November 14 to submit their feedback on the proposals. Once finalized, the new norms could mark a turning point in improving crew welfare, operational safety, and passenger experience in India’s growing aviation ecosystem.