DGCA Steps In to Ease Norms Amidst Aviation Crisis
In response to a week of severe travel disruptions that left thousands of passengers stranded, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has decided to relax specific pilot rostering regulations. This significant policy shift comes as the country witnesses unprecedented IndiGo flight cancellations, with the budget carrier grounding over 700 flights on Friday alone.
Reversing the Rostering Rule
The core of the issue lies in the new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL). Previously, the regulator had strictly mandated that airlines could not count staff leave days as part of their mandatory weekly rest periods. However, facing immense pressure from airline operators and witnessing the collapse of schedules, the DGCA has issued an immediate order withdrawing this specific clause.
In its latest directive, the aviation watchdog acknowledged the severity of the situation. They stated that the decision to review and retract the provision was made to ensure stability in flight operations and in response to urgent representations from various carriers. Effectively, airlines can once again count leave days towards the weekly rest requirements for their crew, providing much-needed flexibility in managing staff shortages.
The Scale of Disruption
The crisis has hit the Indian aviation sector hard, specifically affecting IndiGo, which commands over 60% of the domestic market share. For the third day in a row, airports across the nation—potentially including connections to hubs serving Bhubaneswar flight updates—have seen chaotic scenes. The primary driver behind these mass cancellations is a severe shortage of available crew members required to meet the stricter new FDTL guidelines.
Accusations of "Arm-Twisting"
While the relaxation provides operational relief to airlines, the move has sparked controversy. Aviation experts and pilot associations suggest that the crisis was manufactured by airlines to force the regulator's hand. Critics argue that carriers had a two-year window to prepare for the new safety norms but failed to do so.
Political voices have also weighed in on the controversy. Priyanka Chaturvedi, a Rajya Sabha MP, strongly criticized the development. She accused the airline of "arm-twisting" the DGCA into submission by holding passengers and the government hostage through these service disruptions, terming the regulator's retraction as a "helpless" surrender to corporate pressure.
