Air India Asks DGCA for Pilot Duty Relief

As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East involving Iran, the United States and Israel, airlines worldwide are facing major operational challenges, including the need to alter flight routes. Indian carriers are also being affected. Air India has approached the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), seeking a temporary relaxation in Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms to manage longer diversionary routes, sources told NDTV Profit.

Longer Flight Routes Force to Seek DGCA Relief

The Tata Group-owned airline has requested permission to operate certain long-haul flights with a two-pilot crew instead of the usual three. It has also sought an extension of maximum flying hours by one hour and three minutes, increasing the limit from 10 hours to between 11 and 11.5 hours. Additionally, Air India has asked to extend the maximum Flight Duty Period (FDP) by one hour and 45 minutes, which would raise the cap from 13 hours to 14 hours and 45 minutes.

These requests come amid escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia. The reported closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted oil and LPG supplies, while restricted airspace in the region is forcing airlines to take longer alternative routes. The continued closure of Pakistani airspace has further complicated operations for Indian carriers. Airlines are now rerouting flights to Europe and North America over the Arabian Sea, Central Asia, and parts of Africa, significantly increasing travel time.

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Air India Proposal Under Review as Airspace Risks Grow

The longer routes are adding several hours to flight durations, raising fuel costs and putting pressure on crew duty limits. The DGCA has recently advised Indian airlines to avoid the airspace of 11 Middle Eastern countries, classifying them as high-risk zones. For Air India, avoiding Iranian and Iraqi airspace has substantially increased block times on key international routes, forcing the airline to cancel several flights this week.

Government sources said authorities are currently reviewing Air India’s proposal. Officials also said that while other airlines face similar challenges, rival carrier IndiGo has not submitted any comparable exemption request so far. Air India has not yet responded to queries from NDTV Profit regarding the regulatory discussions, operational strain, and concerns related to crew fatigue.

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