Widespread flight cancellations across India, reportedly caused by pilot shortages under the new Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) norms, have raised questions over airline management, regulatory oversight by the DGCA and market fairness.

The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA India) points to a combination of factors behind the shortage:
 

  • Lag in planning: Despite the DGCA issuing revised FDTL norms in January 2024, with phased implementation from November 1, many airlines, including IndiGo, prepared their crew schedules late. This failure to adjust rosters at least 15 days in advance indicates poor strategic planning rather than a genuine shortage of pilots.
  • Potential pressure tactics: Experts suggest some airlines may be using cancellations and delays as a tactic to pressure regulators into relaxing FDTL restrictions, which are designed to reduce pilot fatigue and enhance safety.

Concerns over airlines hoarding airport slots

Airlines typically retain “grandfather rights” to slots based on historical usage. Slot hoarding occurs when airlines reserve more takeoff and landing slots at airports than they can actually operate, limiting access for other carriers and reducing competition. If scheduled flights are not operated due to internal pilot shortages, the DGCA can recapture and reallocate these slots to other airlines that have the capacity to operate them.

ALPA India warns that indiscriminate waivers or dispensations of FDTL norms could compromise passenger and crew safety. The association has urged the DGCA to carefully assess pilot availability when granting slots and approving schedules, in line with the Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) framework.

Industry observations highlight disparities

According to the Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA India), Air India is expanding its operations and reportedly misusing FDTL waivers, while Akasa Air has a high pilot-to-aircraft ratio due to delayed aircraft deliveries. This suggests that some airlines could absorb additional flights if schedules are managed properly.

ALPA India emphasises that proactive resource planning and strict adherence to FDTL norms are critical to ensure safe, reliable operations, rather than allowing commercial pressures to compromise aviation safety.
ANI