Pilots tell Aviation Minister: Don't prioritise airlines' interest over pilots' safety

In a letter to Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) claimed that indefinite deferral of revised rest and duty hours by the aviation regulator endangers the safety of pilots as well as undermines the safety of passengers.

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) on Friday, March 29, wrote to Union Civil  Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) demanding the implementation of revised rest and duty hours for pilots. This comes after the DGCA on Tuesday (March 26) deferred the implementation of the new rules under the revised Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR).

In its letter to Scindia, the FIP claimed that indefinite deferral by the DGCA not only endangers the safety of pilots but also undermines the safety of passengers. The federation stressed that the health and safety of pilots cannot be prejudiced for the financial gains of operators.

In its letter, the FIP said, "The action of the DGCA not only endanger pilot safety but also undermine the safety of passengers which the implementation ofthe Revised CAR could prevent. Furthermore, the health and safety of the pilots cannot be prejudiced for the commercial benefit of the operators."

“The latest revision by the DGCA has made the Revised CAR a dead letter of the law as it has effectively granted operators discretionary powers in implementing the Revised CAR, a decision that, as you duly recognise, does not serve the interests of pilots and the aviation sector in India,” the FIP added.

The revised rules that would have provided more rest to pilots were due to be implemented on June 1, 2024. However, the domestic airlines’ body, the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), sought additional time from the aviation regulator to implement the new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms that were released under the Revised CAR on January 8.

Initially, the DGCA had quashed two appeals—on February 22 and March 6—by FIA seeking deferment for the implementation of revised rest and fatigue management norms, directing them to ensure they implement revised rules by June 1.

However, the aviation regulator stated on March 26 that the airlines would continue to follow the existing norms and had deferred the revised norms indefinitely.

The indefinite deferral contrasts with Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia's post on X on January 8.

"After in-depth analysis of pilot rosters, fatigue-related reports, and direct feedback from pilots, we have introduced revised “FDTL Regulations” that include increased rest periods, redefining night duty, and regular fatigue reports to be shared by airlines," Scindia said in his post on X.

Source: CNBC TV18