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FDTL Phase 2 rules have significantly tightened the rest and duty time of pilots, which reduced crew availability and affected flights of many airlines including IndiGo. In the new rules, weekly rest is separately mandatory, night duty has been extended till 6 am, night landing is limited to only 2 and continuous night shifts have also been stopped. There was a major impact on scheduling due to the requirement of 24 hours rest after long distance flights.
New Delhi. New Flight Duty Time Limit Phase 2 rules have come into effect in India. Their purpose is to reduce pilot fatigue and improve safety, but these changes have changed the entire planning model of airlines. IndiGo has been affected the most because a large part of its business operates in night slots.
The new rules may look simple on paper, but their impact on operations is direct. Pilots are now available for fewer hours and the need for crew on night flights is greater than ever before. This means that airlines will either have to cut flights or hire a large number of new pilots.
Weekly rest rules changed
Earlier, pilots used to take rest for 48 hours continuously after working for 7 days and weekly off was done separately. Now in Phase 2, both weekly rest and duty rest have been made mandatory separately. The effect of this is that pilots are available for fewer hours a week and airlines need more crew.
Night duty time has become longer
Earlier the time from 12 midnight to 5 am was considered as night duty. Now it has been extended to 6 am. This means that pilots quickly reach their duty limit and it has become difficult to work in night slots. Most of IndiGo’s flights operate at night, so this has had a direct impact on its schedule.
Night landing limit reduced
Earlier pilots could make 6 landings at night. Now in Phase 2 they are allowed only 2 night landings. Due to this, night operations have become more stringent. Continuous night shifts have also been banned and pilots cannot do night shifts for more than two nights.
More rest after long international flights
There is a mandatory rest of at least 24 hours after long flights like in US and Canada. This will impact airlines operating long routes because a pilot will have to spend more time on the ground between two round trips.
