Pilots' Body Seeks Contempt Action Against DGCA For Not Implementing New FDTL Rules, HC Issues Notice

New Delhi: While hearing a petition of the Indian Pilots Guild that seeks contempt action against authorities for allegedly not implementing the new flight duty time rules, the Delhi high court on Tuesday (December 16) sought the response of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The petition alleged that the authorities had granted extensions and relaxations in pilot fatigue management rules, which was in violation of the Civil Aviation Requirement 2024 framework, reported Press Trust of India.

The petition added that the objective of the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms was to address fatigue management of the flying crew. But the DGCA has defied the undertaking by granting variations, exemptions and relaxations to the airlines. It added that as a result, the safety of the flight and passengers was also jeopardised.

"By approving non-compliant FDTL schemes and granting variations, exemptions and relaxations to the airlines, the actions of the respondents in the implementation of the FDTL CAR constitute wilful non- compliance of the directions of this court...," said the plea, reported PTI.

The DGCA, in its affidavit before the high court in another matter earlier this year had said the new FDTL norms will be implemented in a phased manner. It had said that 15 out of the 22 proposed clauses were implemented from July 1 and the remaining are to be effective from November 1, 2025.

The counsel for the DGCA counsel opposed the contempt plea and said that the regulator had statutory powers saying the court had under the Aircraft Act and Rules to grant temporary, case-specific exemptions.

After hearing both the parties Justice Amit Sharma issued notice to the DGCA. The matter will be next heard on April 17.

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