Aviation – Air India Seeks Temporary Pilot Duty Exemption Amid Longer Routes

Aviation –  Air India has approached India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), seeking a temporary relaxation from the Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules for its international pilots. The request comes as ongoing tensions in West Asia have forced several Indian carriers to alter their flight paths, significantly increasing travel time on certain long-haul routes.

According to sources familiar with the development, the airline has asked for the exemption only until the regional situation stabilizes and normal air routes become available again.

Longer Flight Paths Causing Operational Pressure

Air India’s request is linked to the closure of key airspaces that Indian flights traditionally used when traveling to Europe. Pakistani airspace has remained unavailable to Indian airlines since last year, and the current restrictions over Iranian airspace have further complicated flight planning.

As a result, several flights departing from India to European cities now have to follow longer routes. Aircraft traveling to destinations such as Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Vienna, and Copenhagen are currently diverting southward before turning toward Europe.

Instead of flying over West Asian corridors, many of these flights now pass through Oman, move along the southern edge of Saudi Arabia, and then enter Egyptian airspace before continuing toward Europe. This detour has increased flight durations by several hours on many routes.

Airline officials say these extended journeys are putting pressure on pilot schedules and operational planning.

Impact of Flight Duty Time Limitation Rules

India revised its Flight Duty Time Limitation rules to strengthen pilot welfare and safety standards. Under the updated framework, pilots are required to receive longer rest periods and stricter duty limits.

For example, pilots must now be given a weekly rest period of 48 hours, compared with the earlier requirement of 36 hours. Additionally, the maximum allowable duty period has been defined more strictly. A pilot can be scheduled for up to 13 hours of duty during daytime operations and up to 10 hours during nighttime operations.

These regulations aim to reduce fatigue and ensure safer operations, but airlines say sudden changes in flight duration can make compliance more difficult in exceptional circumstances.

Limited Pilot Availability Adds to the Challenge

Air India officials also highlighted the limited pool of available pilots capable of operating certain long-haul international routes.

Since the escalation of the West Asia crisis, the airline has already increased crew deployment on some flights. For instance, services between India and London are now being operated with three pilots instead of the usual two. This measure is intended to maintain compliance with safety regulations while managing longer flight durations.

However, applying a similar arrangement across all affected international routes would require additional crew resources. Airline insiders say this is one of the reasons the carrier is seeking temporary regulatory relief until conditions improve.

Previous Industry Experience With FDTL Compliance

The aviation industry has previously faced challenges while adapting to the revised duty regulations. Last year, IndiGo experienced operational disruptions after struggling to fully comply with the updated FDTL requirements.

The airline’s schedules were affected for several days in December, and the impact continued for the remainder of the month as it adjusted crew rosters and operational planning. At the time, the DGCA granted the airline a temporary exemption to help manage the transition.

Air India hopes for a similar short-term solution while current geopolitical developments continue to affect normal air travel routes.

Awaiting Response From Aviation Regulator

As of now, the DGCA has not publicly commented on Air India’s request. Aviation observers note that any decision by the regulator would likely take into account both operational realities and safety considerations.

Industry experts say prolonged airspace restrictions could continue to reshape international flight planning for Indian airlines in the coming months. Until the situation in the region stabilizes, carriers may have to rely on longer routes, additional crew arrangements, or regulatory adjustments to maintain schedules.