Can implement new pilot duty, rest norms in a phased manner from July 1, 2025, DGCA tells Delhi High Court

The DGCA informed Delhi High Court on Thursday (January 23, 2025) that the revised pilots rest and duty norms proposed by it in January 2024 could be implemented in a staggered manner starting July 1, 2025. Airlines have opposed the proposal.

One of the key elements of the DGCA proposal made public in January 2024 but hanging fire is the curtailment of night flying, which has been opposed by both IndiGo and Air India. IndiGo is also opposed to implementing enhanced weekly rest from 36 hours to 48 hours in one shot, instead favouring a phased enforcement by first raising it to 40 hours from 2025 summer.

Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju has given the DGCA three weeks to submit an affidavit, where the regulator will specify provisions that will be implemented by July 1, 2025 and the ones that may come into force from the Winter Schedule, i.e last Sunday of October.

The January 2024 proposal was initially planned for implementation from June 2024, but was indefinitely deferred after an industry body representing airlines opposed it on the grounds that it would require recruiting more pilots and force flight cancellations.