Indigo, A-I, SpiceJet say FDTL norms ‘more restrictive’ than global norms | Top News

An industry body comprising India’s three largest airlines has objected to the civil aviation regulator’s proposed rules on cabin crew rest, saying the draft framework is more restrictive than international standards and leaves little room for operational flexibility. PTI.

In its letter, the FIA ​​also called for “globally harmonized, evidence-based and operationally practical provisions” in the final norms. The group’s main demand is that flight duty time, rather than flight time, should be the main metric used in managing daily cabin crew fatigue.

“Duty and rest limits may focus on Flight Duty Duration and minimum rest periods, avoiding cumulative limitations or a direct link to the number of landings,” the FIA ​​said in the letter. PTI.

Flight duty typically begins when a crew member is asked to report for duty or report and ends when he or she is relieved of all responsibilities. Flight time, on the contrary, refers to the actual duration of the flight.

The FIA ​​said that when it comes to accommodation, recreational facilities should prioritize sleep quality and that twin-sharing rooms may be allowed within the rules set by operators. He also noted that global approaches recognize that recovery from fatigue depends on adequate rest opportunity and adaptation to local nighttime hours, rather than on the specific location where rest occurs.

Earlier on Wednesday, the country’s largest airline IndiGo also informed the DGCA that it is ready to fully implement FDTL norms after the one-time temporary exemption it received from the regulator in the wake of widespread flight disruptions in December expires. The waiver, which expired on February 10, was granted after the airline canceled more than 4,000 flights in the first 10 days of December due to lack of sufficient number of pilots to enable it to follow the revised FDTL norms.