The Delhi High Court has issued notice to the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Union Government on a contempt plea alleging non-compliance with court-backed timelines for implementing the Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) regime, a move that could directly impact pilot safety norms and airline operations nationwide.
The contempt petition was filed by the Indian Pilots Guild, representing Air India pilots, which has been challenging regulatory changes that allegedly reduced mandatory rest periods for flight crew under revised Civil Aviation Requirements. The dispute traces back to assurances given to the High Court that a new FDTL framework would be rolled out in phases within specified timelines.
However, the pilots’ body contends that instead of adhering to that framework, aviation authorities quietly granted airlines extensions, relaxations, and airline-specific approvals that diluted the very standards accepted by the Court, without consulting pilot unions or seeking judicial permission.
Taking note of the allegations, Justice Amit Sharma sought formal responses from the DGCA and the Centre, signalling that deviations from court-recorded undertakings would not be treated lightly. The plea asserts that “by approving non-compliant FDTL Schemes and granting variations, exemptions and relaxations to the airlines,” the authorities acted in wilful disregard of binding judicial directions issued earlier this year. The Court has issued notice on the contempt petition and listed the matter for further hearing in April 2026.
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