Airlines cannot bypass weekly rest for pilots, DGCA tells HC

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has informed the Delhi high court that its decision permitting airlines to count a pilot’s 48-hour earned leave as weekly rest while rostering them does not give airlines a free hand to bypass or suspend the mandatory weekly rest requirements under the revised FDTL norms. Airlines cannot bypass weekly rest for pilots, DGCA tells HC

The DGCA on December 5 last year had withdrawn an earlier rule issued in November 2025 that prevented airlines from counting pilot leave as weekly rest.

The revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms, implemented from November 1 last year, significantly reduced pilot workload by increasing weekly rest from 36 to 48 continuous hours, expanding night duty from midnight–5 am to midnight–6 am, limiting consecutive night duties to two, capping night landings at two per week, and reducing monthly flying time from 125 hours to 100 hours in 28 days.

“That the withdrawal of the advisory (issued in November) on 5.12.2025, does not dilute or compromise the requirement of providing the mandated weekly rest strictly in accordance with the FDTL CAR. Operators remain fully responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable regulatory provisions,” the affidavit filed through advocate Anjana Gosain in March stated.

The affidavit was filed in response to a petition by former aircraft engineer Sabari Roy challenging the DGCA’s December 5 decision. On January 30, the high court had directed the regulator to submit an affidavit explaining the rationale behind its decision.

The 5-page affidavit added that the decision was taken in view of multiple flight disruptions, including instances affecting IndiGo operations, to prevent further disruptions, stabilise schedules, minimise passenger inconvenience, and restore necessary roster flexibility, after it received representations from several operators.

“That in the initial days of December 2025, multiple flight disruptions were reported to the regulator, including instances in IndiGo operations. Representations were also received from several operators stating that the said advisory had resulted in reduced roster flexibility and operational challenges,” the affidavit stated.

It added, “Accordingly, without deviating from the provisions of the FDTL CAR dated 26.03.2024, concerning weekly rest, and with a view to avoid further disruptions, stabilize airline operations, minimize passenger inconvenience, and restore necessary roster flexibility-while ensuring adherence to the intent of managed weekly rest the aforesaid advisory was withdrawn on 05.12.2025 and the same was communicated to all operators. The representation was received from Indigo and Air India Express.”

To be sure, although the matter was listed before a bench comprising chief justice DK Upadhyaya and justice Tejas Karia on Thursday, no hearing took place due to paucity of time, and the case was adjourned to July 29.