Flight tickets may see an increase in costs as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has extended the weekly rest periods for flight crews from 36 hours to 48 hours, sparking concerns among airlines. The new regulations, aimed at addressing pilot fatigue and enhancing overall flight safety, impose restrictions on the maximum flight time and flight duty period for operations extending into the night, set at 8 hours and 10 hours, respectively.
Airlines are now faced with the choice of either increasing their pilot strength by 20% within three months or reducing flight operations to comply with the new DGCA guidelines. An airline CEO expressed apprehensions about the feasibility of hiring and training a substantial number of pilots within such a short timeframe, as reported by ET.
Under the revised regulations, the number of landings during night operations is capped at two, a reduction from the previous maximum of six. DGCA mandates that airline operators submit quarterly fatigue reports, detailing actions taken based on the analysis. Compliance with the updated regulations is mandatory for all airline operators by June 1.
However, meeting these guidelines by June appears challenging for airlines, given the time and coordination required for hiring and training pilots, implementing the new duty schedule, and publishing timetables. To accommodate these changes, airlines may need additional pilots or arrange overnight stay accommodations for the crew, leading to increased operational costs and potentially higher ticket prices, as reported by the Times of India, quoting an official source.