The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA) has formally communicated its serious operational and safety concerns to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This action follows the regulator’s decision to extend the Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) for two-pilot crews operating Boeing 787 aircraft. ALPA argues that this extension, which raises flight duty from 10 hours to 10 hours 30 minutes and total duty period from 13 to 14 hours, introduces a ‘grave safety risk’. This concern is amplified by recent safety directives from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) concerning the same aircraft model.
In India, Air India currently operates Boeing 787s, with IndiGo also utilizing two leased 787 aircraft. The FAA’s Airworthiness Directive had previously restricted the captain’s seat recline function on these planes due to safety issues, directly impacting crew rest during extended flights. ALPA highlighted that this limitation significantly hinders effective rest, particularly on long sectors and during critical periods like the Window of Circadian Low (WOCL).
ALPA expressed strong disappointment with the DGCA’s decision, deeming it ‘deeply concerning’ and contrary to global safety standards. The association pointed out that most international airlines have responded to similar FAA directives by adding extra crew members to manage fatigue risks. In contrast, the DGCA’s approach of extending duty hours without mandating augmented crews is viewed as a move prioritizing operational convenience and commercial interests over flight safety.
The pilots’ body emphasized that the existing Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) on FDTL was based on extensive research and scientific studies on human fatigue, aligning with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines. Deviating from these established norms, ALPA contends, undermines the scientific basis of these regulations.
ALPA issued a stern warning, labeling the DGCA’s decision as ‘unjustified and dangerously inconsistent’. They stated that operating long routes with compromised rest facilities and reduced crew significantly increases the potential for fatigue-induced errors, which are a well-documented cause of aviation incidents worldwide.
Consequently, ALPA has urged the DGCA to:
- Immediately revoke the extended FDTL for two-pilot Boeing 787 operations.
- Mandate a three-pilot crew for all flights exceeding eight hours or those operating during the WOCL.
- Conduct a thorough fatigue risk assessment, in collaboration with flight crew representatives, before approving any further changes to duty hour regulations.
ALPA concluded by stating that failure to address this issue poses an unnecessary and preventable risk to flight crews, passengers, and the general traveling public, and called for the DGCA’s prompt intervention to uphold operational safety and regulatory integrity.