Pilot duty exemptions weigh in heavy on DGCA’s summer plan
Times of India
by SAURABH SINHAFebruary 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Aviation authorities in India are currently assessing how many domestic and international flights will operate during the summer season. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is focusing on pilot availability when finalizing flight schedules, which will be effective from March 29 to prevent a repeat of the recent IndiGo crisis. However, determining pilot availability has become a delicate balance as major Indian airlines have been granted exemptions from certain clauses of the flight duty time limitation (FDTL) rules for cockpit crew. These exemptions are set to expire at the end of next month, and airlines are requesting extensions to avoid potential disruptions.
The extension of these exemptions is crucial because without them, airlines may face challenges in maintaining their flight schedules during the peak summer travel season. This could lead to fewer flights, higher ticket prices, and public dissatisfaction. On the other hand, extending the exemptions raises concerns about fatigued pilots and its impact on flight safety. For instance, Air India has been operating longer routes due to geopolitical reasons, such as the closure of Pakistani airspace, which currently allows them to use two pilots for flights up to 10.5 hours instead of the required three.
IndiGo and Akasa primarily secure night slots at busy hubs, but they have sought exemptions from nighttime pilot utilization requirements. Airlines argue that without these exemptions, their ability to manage rising traffic would be compromised. The issue highlights a broader concern about the slow pace of pilot hiring and career progression within the industry, which has led to fatigue and overworked crews. However, both IndiGo and Air India have recently resumed hiring pilots at the trainee first officer level after a 1.5-year hiatus, signaling a potential shift in their approach to addressing staffing shortages.
This situation underscores the delicate balance between operational efficiency and safety in India's aviation sector. The outcome of DGCA's decision on exemptions will significantly impact flight schedules, ticket prices, and overall passenger satisfaction during the summer travel peak. As public interest in global aviation developments grows, particularly within Asia, this issue highlights the challenges faced by airlines and regulators in maintaining a safe and efficient air transport system.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/22/2026