Picture used for representational function solely. File | Picture Credit score: Reuters
The brand new flight obligation laws for pilots look like far more restrictive in comparison with different jurisdictions and it’s a matter of time earlier than issues cool down, international airways’ grouping Worldwide Air Transport Affiliation’s (IATA) chief Willie Walsh mentioned.
The feedback additionally come towards the backdrop of great operational disruptions confronted by India’s largest airline IndiGo previously one week that had resulted in a whole lot of flight cancellations and impacted hundreds of passengers.
Lack of correct planning in implementing the second section of the Flight Responsibility Time Limitations (FDTL) norms that got here into power from November 1 is likely one of the key causes for the IndiGo flight disruptions which have virtually stabilized now.
“The brand new Indian laws look like far more restrictive than these in different jurisdictions however I feel you’ve got to at all times acknowledge that regulators have a duty to make sure that the trade is protected and safe,” Mr. Walsh mentioned.
“The adjustments have been applied, I feel for the suitable causes. It’s only a matter of time now earlier than it settles down,” he mentioned.
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At a media roundtable in Geneva, Mr. Walsh additionally famous that the pilot fatigue norms is one thing that will get debated on a regular basis in Europe and the US.
“India has determined that they need to take measures, significantly round potential fatigue round evening time operations, which instinctively would have a larger affect on low-cost carriers, given their enterprise mannequin. It’s disappointing that so many customers have been impacted on account of this transformation,” Mr. Walsh mentioned.
IATA is a grouping of practically 360 airways that account for over 80% of the worldwide air visitors and its members embrace IndiGo, Air India, Air India Specific and SpiceJet.
Amongst different points, the second section of the FDTL norms have restricted the variety of evening landings a pilot could make.
India’s Civil Aviation Ministry on Tuesday (December 9) introduced curbing IndiGo’s winter schedule flights by 10% so as to stabilize the operations.
“Over the last week, many passengers confronted extreme inconvenience because of IndiGo’s inner mismanagement of crew rosters, flight schedules and insufficient communication,” Civil Aviation Minister Ok Rammohan Naidu mentioned on Tuesday (December 9).
Revealed – December 10, 2025 12:49 pm IST