DGCA may give waiver to IndiGo from new pilot rest rules

Economic Times
Economic Times
6d ago • 8 views
IndiGo may receive a waiver from the DGCA on new pilot rest rules after over 1,000 flight cancellations. This is crucial for stabilizing operations amid a pilot shortage.
DGCA may give waiver to IndiGo from new pilot rest rules
A What happened
IndiGo, India's largest airline, is likely to receive a temporary waiver from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regarding new pilot rest and duty-hour regulations. This comes after the airline faced a severe operational crisis, resulting in over 1,000 flight cancellations in recent days. The new rules, which limit night landings and increase crew requirements, were implemented in phases to address pilot fatigue. IndiGo's management admitted to inadequate planning and hiring, leading to a pilot shortage. The DGCA is considering the waiver to alleviate passenger inconvenience while maintaining safety standards. IndiGo has assured the regulator that it is taking corrective actions to stabilize operations by February 10, 2026.
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Key insights

  • 1

    Operational Disruption: IndiGo faced over 1,000 flight cancellations due to pilot shortages.

  • 2

    Regulatory Waiver: DGCA may grant IndiGo a temporary waiver on new pilot rest rules.

  • 3

    Pilot Fatigue Rules: New regulations aim to reduce pilot fatigue but have led to operational challenges.

Takeaways

The potential waiver from the DGCA highlights the challenges faced by IndiGo in adapting to new regulations while ensuring operational stability and passenger convenience.

Topics

Business & Markets Economy