NewKerala.com

Air India Pilots Get Extended Flight Hours Amid Pakistan Airspace Crisis

Air India pilots flying Boeing 787s to Europe have received temporary duty time extensions. This decision comes as flights take longer routes due to Pakistan's closed airspace. The pilots' union has expressed safety concerns about potential fatigue from longer hours. However, the regulator emphasizes this is a limited exemption with additional rest requirements.

Key Points: DGCA Extends Air India Boeing 787 Pilot Duty Hours

  • Flight duty time extended to 10.5 hours from 10 hours for Boeing 787 pilots
  • Flight duty period increased to 14 hours from 13 hours maximum
  • Extension applies only to nine Dreamliner flights on European routes
  • Pilots' union warns relaxation could lead to fatigue-induced errors
2 min read

Flight duty extension for Air India Boeing 787 pilots granted due to operational reasons: DGCA

DGCA grants temporary flight duty extension for Air India Boeing 787 pilots on European routes due to Pakistan airspace closure and winter wind patterns.

"The present deviation gives the impression that the DGCA is placing greater consideration on operator convenience - ALPA India"

New Delhi, Oct 31

Air India has been granted a temporary extension of flight duty time for two-pilot Boeing 787 Dreamliner planes flying on European routes, which have become longer due to the closure of Pakistani airspace, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said on Friday.

The civil aviation regulator said the extension was based on specific operational reasons linked to planes on European routes having to undertake longer flight paths following the shutdown of Pakistan's airspace.

Besides, expected changes in wind patterns during the winter season could also lead to an increase in the flight time to these destinations.

For two-pilot Boeing 787 operations, the Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) has been extended to 10 hours and 30 minutes from 10 hours, and the Flight Duty Period (FDP) increased to 14 hours from 13 hours.

The DGCA clarified that the extension of up to 30 minutes in flight time and up to one hour in FDP will apply only in cases where duty periods extend after departure and not during flight planning.

The FDP refers to the duration from when a flight crew member reports for duty until the aircraft comes to rest after completing the flight.

The clarification was given in response to the Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA) urging the DGCA to withdraw the relaxation, because the move could lead to "fatigue-induced errors".

The civil aviation regulator emphasised that the exemption is a one-time approval, limited only to nine Dreamliner flights on European routes, and was issued after due consideration and in compliance with safety oversight requirements for the winter schedule.

Last week, ALPA India said in a statement that the present deviation gives the impression that the DGCA is placing greater consideration on operator convenience and commercial interests rather than prioritising the core objective of flight safety

DGCA further stated that as part of fatigue mitigation measures, operators must submit monthly fatigue reports, no training flights will be conducted under the exemption, and pilots operating these flights will be given one additional hour of rest.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Given the Pakistan airspace closure and longer routes, this seems like a practical decision. The additional rest hour for pilots is a good safety measure. We need to support our airlines during these challenging times.
A
Arjun K
Safety should never be compromised for operational convenience. ALPA India has a valid point - fatigue-induced errors can be catastrophic. DGCA needs to reconsider this decision and prioritize pilot well-being over commercial interests.
S
Sarah B
The monthly fatigue reports requirement is a good step. As long as there's proper monitoring and it's limited to specific flights, this temporary measure seems reasonable. Better than flight cancellations during peak travel season!
V
Vikram M
This Pakistan airspace closure is affecting everything! First our flights get longer, now pilot duty hours extended. Hope the government is working on diplomatic solutions. In the meantime, safety must remain paramount. 🙏
M
Michael C
The fact that it's limited to only 9 flights and includes extra rest provisions makes this acceptable. Airlines have to adapt to geopolitical realities. Let's trust our regulators and pilots to handle this professionally.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50