The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has temporarily eased flight duty time limits for pilots on long-haul international routes as airlines face extended flying hours due to the ongoing conflict in Iran.
The civil aviation regulator’s decision addresses operational challenges caused by the closure of Middle East airspace, forcing aircraft to take longer detours on western-bound flights. The move ensures airlines can maintain schedules without compromising pilot availability and operational safety.
Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Asangba Chuba Ao, said the relaxations come in response to airlines’ difficulties in complying with existing duty time restrictions amid increased flight durations. “The extended routes necessitated by the Iran war make adherence to the standard flight duty time norms challenging,” Ao explained.
Under last year’s updated flight duty time regulations, pilots must receive a continuous 48-hour rest period between duty cycles, an increase from the previous 36-hour requirement. The rules were designed to prevent fatigue and maintain high safety standards in aviation operations.
To adapt to current circumstances, DGCA has extended the permissible flight time for long-haul flights operated with two pilots by 1 hour 30 minutes, bringing it to 11 hours 30 minutes. Similarly, the flight duty period has been extended by 1 hour 45 minutes to 11 hours 45 minutes. Flight time is defined as the period from when an aircraft begins its takeoff roll to the moment it comes to a complete stop at its destination.
The DGCA is also intensifying oversight of airlines’ operations, focusing on roster integrity, crew availability, buffer adequacy, and adherence to flight duty limitations. Weekly and fortnightly monitoring, along with bi-monthly on-site inspections by DGCA inspectors, aim to ensure regulatory compliance despite operational relaxations.
The temporary adjustment reflects a balancing act between operational necessity and pilot safety, allowing airlines to navigate longer international routes without breaching fatigue management norms. Airlines and pilots are expected to strictly observe the revised limits while maintaining overall flight safety standards.
The DGCA has indicated that these relaxations are critical for sustaining international flight operations while minimizing disruption caused by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
