Air India Seeks DGCA Approval To Relax Pilot Duty Rules As Middle East Tensions Disrupt Flights

Air India has approached the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) requesting temporary changes to Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to disrupt normal flight operations.

The airline aims to secure regulatory flexibility to manage extended travel times.

Reports indicate that the Tata Group-owned carrier has asked for approval to operate some long-haul services with a two-pilot crew instead of the standard three.

The airline has also requested an increase of one hour and three minutes in the permissible flying duration. This would raise the current 10-hour limit to around 11 to 11.5 hours.

Air India has additionally proposed extending the maximum Flight Duty Period (FDP) by one hour and 45 minutes. If accepted, the maximum duty window would rise from 13 hours to nearly 14 hours and 45 minutes.

Airlines have been forced to take longer alternative routes. Restricted airspace in parts of the Middle East has disrupted normal flight paths. Pakistan’s airspace also remains closed for Indian carriers.

As a result, several flights are now travelling through the Arabian Sea, Central Asia and parts of Africa. These diversions have increased travel time significantly, leading to higher fuel consumption and additional strain on crew duty schedules.

Air India is avoiding the airspace of Iran and Iraq. This has added considerable block time to several long-haul flights. The airline has cancelled some services this week due to operational difficulties.

Government sources stated that the aviation regulator is currently reviewing Air India’s proposal.

Officials added that although other airlines are also facing route disruptions, the DGCA has not yet received a similar request from IndiGo.

Air India has not issued an immediate response to queries regarding the proposal or the possible concerns related to crew fatigue.

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