Flight passengers wait with their baggage as many IndiGo flight services stand cancelled at Jaiprakash Narayan International Airport, in Patna, on Friday

What are the flight duty time norms? 

The DGCA’s regulation specify the maximum number of hours that a pilot can fly in a 24-hour period. The regulation also stipulates minimum rest that must be provided to pilots between two flights. Clauses also cover aspects such as the number of landings that pilots can perform during a single duty period. It also mentions the maximum cumulative flight and duty time period for pilots over longer periods (7-28-365 days). It defines night duty and lays down restrictions on number of flights that can be operated post-midnight to mitigate fatigue. These regulations are introduced by the DGCA as per provisions of the Aircraft Rules 1937, and are applicable to all airlines. In turn, airlines are required to prepare their duty rosters factoring duty and rest limits set by DGCA. 

Video Credit: Businessline

What changes did January 2024 regulation bring ? 

In January 2024, the DGCA revised the flight duty time limitations (FDTL), enhancing rest provided to pilots. Pilot unions had flagged concerns over long work hours, inadequate rest and fatigue. The unions had earlier moved Delhi High Court, seeking a change in 2019 regulations. The 2024 norms increased the weekly rest period from 36 to 48 hours, and changed the definition of night. Under the new norms, night would cover period from midnight to 6 am, instead of midnight to 5 am. Maximum duty and number of landings that pilots can make during night were also capped to two under the revised rules. Back then, the government said the regulations will enhance overall flight safety and balance growth in aviation sector. Airlines were given time till June 1, 2024, to comply with new norms.

Airline opposition and Delhi High Court order 

While pilot unions largely welcomed the regulations, airlines, led by Air India and IndiGo, opposed the changes. Under pressure, the DGCA deferred its implementation. The unions also took up the issue of deferral in the Delhi High Court, which was already hearing the challenge against 2019 regulations. The DGCA submitted an affidavit stating that the norms will be implemented in two phases – 15 clauses would be applicable from July 1 and 7 clauses from November 1. Based on DGCA submission, the court disposed the matter in April.   

What went wrong with IndiGo? 

While IndiGo kept on adding flights, it did not hire and train enough captains to operate the extra services, as per the new norms. The slow pace of training was in contrast with the usual agility with which it operates.  Barely few days before the November 1 deadline, the DGCA granted certain relaxations to IndiGo regarding night operations. Aviation sources say the airline had anticipated the implementation would be deferred beyond November 1 and had not prepared well enough. On Thursday, the DGCA confirmed that disruptions arose due to misjudgment and planning gaps in implementation of new rules. For instance, IndiGo’s requirement of Airbus A320 aircraft captains in November was 2,422, but the actual number was much less. 

What happens now? 

On Friday, citing public interest, the DGCA granted temporary one-time exemption to IndiGo from provisions pertaining to night duty. The regulator said the exemption is granted solely for operational stabilisation and shall be valid up to February 10, 2026. In effect, this means the airline will have to normalise operations as the regulations had hindered its operations given pilot shortage. IndiGo says given its size, scale and complexity, restoring normalcy will take some time. The airline anticipates achieving this between December 10 and 15.   

Published on December 5, 2025