DGCA extends pilot rest rule deadline to March 2027

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has extended the deadline for full implementation of revised pilot rest rules by five months to March 31, 2027, as airlines face rising operating costs and crew availability concerns. This is the third extension granted, following IndiGo's operational crisis December 2025, when India's largest airline cancelled thousands of flights amid a crew shortage.

The revised Flight Duty Time Limitations rules, notified in early 2025, extended the night duty definition by an hour (midnight to 6 am instead of midnight to 5 am), capped landings during this period at two, and limited duty to 10 hours. The DGCA had earlier allowed airlines to operate with three landings under specific conditions when duty fell between midnight and 1:55 am or 5 am and 6 am, requiring rest equivalent to twice the duty period. Those relaxations, due to expire on October 31, will now continue until March 31.

Pilot associations have opposed the repeated extensions, arguing they undermine safety regulations. The Federation of Indian Airlines, whose members include IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet, said the revised rules could increase pilot requirements by 25%. The Federation of Indian Pilots urged the government to withdraw the relaxations, stating the regulator is normalising exceptional arrangements. A government official said no further exemptions would be granted after March 31.