Revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) Rules

The Revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) Rules are safety regulations issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to regulate the working hours and rest periods of pilots. These rules prescribe the maximum duration for which pilots can remain on duty, the number of hours they can fly, limits on night operations, and the minimum rest required between duties. The norms are designed to prevent pilot fatigue, minimise human error, and enhance overall aviation safety, in alignment with international standards prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

Key Provisions of the Revised FDTL Rules

Increased Weekly Rest Requirement

Under the revised rules, pilots are required to receive a minimum of 48 consecutive hours of rest every week, as against the earlier requirement of 36 hours. This provision ensures adequate physical and mental recovery.

Restrictions on Night Landings

The number of permissible night landings has been reduced to two, compared to six earlier. This change recognises the higher fatigue and risk associated with night operations.

Limits on Continuous Night Duties

Pilots are not allowed to perform more than two continuous night duties. This provision aims to reduce circadian rhythm disruption and fatigue accumulation.

Mandatory Roster Adjustments by Airlines

Airlines are required to redesign and manage their crew rosters strictly in accordance with the revised duty and rest limitations to ensure compliance with safety norms.

Fatigue Risk Reporting

Airlines must submit quarterly fatigue risk assessment reports to the DGCA. This strengthens oversight and enables proactive monitoring of fatigue-related safety risks.

Objectives of the Revised FDTL Norms

The primary objective of the revised FDTL norms is to address pilot fatigue, which is a major operational risk in aviation, particularly during early morning departures and night landings. By ensuring adequate rest and limiting night operations, the rules aim to improve pilot alertness, reduce the probability of human error, and align India’s aviation safety framework with global best practices.

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

About DGCA

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation, headquartered in New Delhi, is India’s apex regulatory authority for civil aviation safety. It functions as an attached office under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and works in coordination with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

Role and Functions of DGCA

The DGCA acts as the aviation safety regulator by ensuring flight operation safety and airworthiness standards. It is the licensing authority for pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, flight engineers, and air traffic controllers. The DGCA also regulates scheduled and non-scheduled air transport services, investigates aviation accidents and incidents, enforces preventive safety measures, monitors aircraft noise and engine emissions, and updates aviation rules and civil aviation requirements.

Status of India’s Aviation Sector

India is currently the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world, after the United States and China. Passenger demand is increasing rapidly due to urbanisation, growth in tourism, and expansion of the middle class. By 2040, passenger traffic is projected to grow six-fold to around 1.1 billion passengers annually.

As of 2025, the aviation sector supports over 7.7 million jobs, both directly and indirectly, and contributes about 1.5 per cent to India’s GDP. The Indian fleet accounts for approximately 2.4 per cent of the global aircraft fleet, with rapid expansion driven by large aircraft orders.

Airport Infrastructure and Regulatory Framework

The number of operational airports in India has increased from 74 in 2014 to 163 in 2025, with a target of 350–400 airports by 2047. The focus remains on greenfield airports and public–private partnership (PPP) models.

India’s civil aviation regulatory framework has evolved from the Air Corporations Act, 1953 and the Open Sky Policy of the 1990s to the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, which replaces the Aircraft Act, 1934. The new law aligns Indian aviation regulations with ICAO standards, promotes domestic manufacturing under Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, simplifies licensing processes, and modernises aviation governance.