On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court sought a response from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on a contempt plea filed by a pilots’ body, accusing the aviation regulator of failing to fully implement court-approved Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms. The order assumes significance as it brings renewed judicial scrutiny on pilot fatigue management and passenger safety, amid allegations that airlines continue to receive relaxations contrary to binding directions.
The case stems from revised FDTL norms introduced under the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) 2024, which were designed to regulate pilot working hours and rest periods to address fatigue-related risks. The Indian Pilots Guild, supported by other pilots’ associations, alleged that despite assurances given to the High Court, the DGCA granted airlines exemptions, extensions, and relaxations that diluted the intent of the new framework. According to the pilots’ body, these concessions undermined both the regulator’s undertakings and the safety rationale behind the norms. The DGCA, however, defended its actions, maintaining that while implementation timelines were court-backed, the regulator retained statutory authority under aviation laws to issue limited, case-specific exemptions.
Justice Amit Sharma issued notice to the DGCA on the contempt petition and directed the regulator to place its response on record. The Court noted the pilots’ allegation that approving non-compliant duty schedules amounted to defiance of judicial directions, particularly when the norms were meant to curb fatigue and enhance safety. The plea asserted that “by approving non-compliant FDTL schemes and granting variations, exemptions and relaxations to the airlines, the actions of the respondents… constitute wilful non-compliance” of the Court’s earlier orders. While the Court did not express a final view on the merits, it listed the matter for further hearing, signalling that the regulator’s exercise of discretion would be closely examined.
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