India’s aviation watchdog, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has granted Air India a temporary extension of flight duty limits for its two-pilot Boeing 787 Dreamliner operations. This decision primarily affects European flights experiencing longer routes due to the closure of Pakistan’s airspace.
The clarification was issued to the Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA India) following their call for the relaxation’s withdrawal. A representative from ALPA India confirmed they are currently reviewing the DGCA’s response.
Under the temporary changes for Boeing 787 flights with a two-person crew, the Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) has been increased from 10 hours to 10.30 hours. Similarly, the Flight Duty Period (FDP) has been extended from 13:00 hours to 14:00 hours. The FDP encompasses the entire duration a flight crew member is on duty for operating an aircraft, concluding when the plane comes to rest after the flight.
The DGCA informed the pilots’ association that this exemption is based on specific operational reasons, particularly for flights affected by the extended routing caused by Pakistan’s airspace restrictions. These longer routes are further complicated by anticipated shifts in wind patterns during the winter months, which could marginally increase flight times on certain sectors.
It’s important to note that the extension, allowing up to 30 minutes more in flight time and up to an additional hour in the Flight Duty Period, is only applicable when flight time and duty periods unexpectedly increase after the flight has already departed. The regulator emphasized that this exemption is not intended for initial flight planning.
Air India has not yet issued a statement regarding this temporary extension for its Dreamliner operations.
Furthermore, the DGCA clarified to ALPA India that this one-time exemption applies to a limited number of just nine Dreamliner flights on European routes. It was approved after careful consideration and in adherence to safety oversight requirements for the upcoming winter schedule. As part of these measures, monthly fatigue reports will be requested from operators, and no training activities will be permitted on the exempted flights. Additionally, flight crew members on affected flights will receive an extra hour of rest as a mitigation measure.
Last week, ALPA India had expressed significant concerns to the DGCA, advocating for the withdrawal of the extension. The association highlighted that Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) on FDTL are rooted in extensive research and scientific study regarding human fatigue and its potential impact on flight operations.
ALPA India had argued that “The current deviation gives the impression that the DGCA is prioritising operator convenience and commercial interests over the fundamental objective of flight safety.” They firmly stated that this move raises serious operational and safety concerns.