Aviation Ministry revises Flight Duty Time Limitations norms — increases rest periods, amends night duty

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday, January 8, announced a slew of reforms in Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) for pilots. The revised "FDTL Regulations" include increased rest periods, redefining night duty, and regular fatigue reports to be shared by airlines.

As per the regulations, the government has increased weekly rest periods from 36 hours to 48 hours for flight crew.

The definition of night has been amended. It is now from 12 midnight to 6 am from earlier time frame of 12 midnight to 5 am. The maximum flight time and maximum flight duty period for flight operations encroaching night have been restricted to 8 hours flight time and 10 hours flight duty period respectively.