Air India Pilots Fly Beyond Legal Time Limit, DGCA Sounds Strong Warning Over Safety Breach

New Delhi(The Uttam Hindu): The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a formal warning to Air India after identifying violations in two of its international flights operated between Bengaluru and London in May. Investigations revealed that the pilots on both flights exceeded the maximum duty hours permitted under India’s Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) regulations, which are designed to prevent fatigue and maintain flight safety.

According to DGCA, the pilots operated for over 10 hours in a single duty period, surpassing the stipulated safety limit. In June, the regulator issued a show-cause notice to the airline, but officials found the response unsatisfactory. The DGCA has now cautioned the carrier to avoid such lapses in the future.

An Air India spokesperson stated that the issue arose due to airspace closures over certain regions during the flights, which caused delays. They further claimed that all operational rules were followed thereafter.

Globally, bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also enforce strict duty-hour limitations for pilots to ensure passenger safety. In India, DGCA enforces these rules, generally allowing a pilot to fly for a maximum of 10 hours in a day, with minor flexibility under special circumstances.

This regulatory action is being viewed as a significant step toward upholding aviation safety standards in the country.