Delhi HC Sees Red Over DGCA's FDTL Exemptions for Airlines - Safety in Jeopardy?
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The Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) has taken the Delhi High Court to task, accusing the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of flouting its own undertakings on implementing the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms. The IPG, which represents Air India pilots, claims that the DGCA granted exemptions to airline operators without permission, putting flight and passenger safety at risk. The controversy began in February, when the DGCA assured the court that the FDTL norms would be implemented in two phases. However, the regulator allegedly backtracked on its promise, approving airline-specific FDTL schemes that deviated from the framework it had submitted to the court. The IPG has filed a petition, citing several instances of exemptions granted to Air India, which it claims compromise safety standards. The new FDTL norms aim to reduce pilot fatigue by introducing stricter rest periods and duty limits. However, the DGCA's actions have been criticized for undermining these efforts. The IPG's petition comes as the aviation regulator faces scrutiny over its handling of the IndiGo flight cancellations crisis, which led to the sacking of four Flight Operations Inspectors. The Delhi High Court had previously closed petitions challenging the DGCA's 2019 rest-period norms, but the IPG's latest move raises concerns about the regulator's commitment to implementing the new FDTL norms. The court will now consider whether to initiate contempt proceedings against the DGCA for its alleged non-compliance.
