The Airline Pilots’ Association of India has formally communicated its deep-seated concerns to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) concerning the recent adjustments to the Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL). The association has specifically flagged the extension of duty hours for Boeing 787 two-man flight crew operations from 10 hours to 10.5 hours, and an increase in Flight Duty Period (FDP) from 13 to 14 hours, as a significant operational and safety issue.
In their letter, the association highlighted a relevant directive from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA’s Airworthiness Directive (AD) FAA-2024-0218 has placed restrictions on the seat recline function for captains on Boeing 787 aircraft due to safety considerations. This restriction, the pilots’ association noted, has directly impacted the quality of in-flight rest, particularly on long-haul flights.
The pilots pointed out that airlines globally have responded to this FAA directive by assigning additional operating crew to mitigate the heightened risk of fatigue. In stark contrast, the association expressed profound disappointment that the DGCA has opted to lengthen the FDTL for two-man crew operations on the Boeing 787.
The association emphasized that the current 10-hour duty limit is already at the maximum end of safe fatigue management practices. They also stated that there is no prevailing pilot shortage in the country that would justify such an extension of duty hours. The pilots’ body reiterated that the very purpose of establishing the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) on Flight Duty Time Limitations was rooted in extensive research and scientific understanding of human fatigue and its impact on performance, aligning with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines.
Ultimately, the Airline Pilots’ Association of India expressed concern that the DGCA appears to be prioritizing the operational convenience of flight operators and commercial airlines over the paramount importance of flight safety.