India to Enforce Relaxed Pilot Duty Time Rules from November 1 to Curb Fatigue
New Delhi, 30th October 2025: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced that revised flight duty time regulations for pilots will come into full effect from November 1, marking the second and final phase of implementation aimed at reducing pilot fatigue and improving aviation safety.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the DGCA said that the remaining seven provisions under the new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) framework would be enforced from Saturday. The first phase of the new rules, introduced earlier this year, had already covered key safety-related aspects.
“The second phase allows for limited operational flexibility, taking into account regional variations such as early sunrises and longer daylight hours in India’s eastern region,” the DGCA said.
Under the first phase, several critical measures were introduced, including a minimum rest period of 48 hours for pilots, a cap on maximum flight duty hours, and mandatory 10-hour rest after returning from leave.
According to the aviation regulator, the stepwise rollout was designed to help airlines adjust operations without compromising safety.
“This calibrated and well-considered approach reflects the DGCA’s commitment to ensuring pilot well-being and aviation safety, while maintaining operational stability,” the statement added.
The revised rules are part of the DGCA’s broader initiative to align India’s flight safety standards with global best practices and respond to long-standing concerns over pilot fatigue raised by domestic and international carriers.
