Explained: How India’s new flight duty time limitations compare to global standards

India’s aviation sector has recently seen a significant overhaul in Flight Duty Time Limitations (FTDL), which are regulations designed to manage pilot fatigue and enhance safety. These new rules, introduced by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), place stricter limits on flight duty periods, rest requirements, and night flying. Let’s break down what these changes mean and how they compare to regulations in other countries. 

What Are FTDL? 

FTDL rules govern how long pilots can be on duty, how much rest they need, and how many hours they can fly during a given period. The primary goal is to reduce fatigue, a leading factor in aviation safety. These regulations help ensure pilots are fit to fly, avoiding tiredness that could compromise their performance. 

India’s stricter FTDL rules 

India’s new FTDL guidelines, which have been rolled out in phases in 2025, are among the strictest globally. Key elements of the new rules include: 

• Mandatory weekly rest: Pilots must have a minimum of 48 hours off each week to recover from fatigue. 
• Limits on night flights: The new regulations place caps on the number of night landings and night duty hours a pilot can accumulate in a week. 
• Daily and weekly flight caps: There are strict limits on how many hours pilots can be on duty or in flight, both on a daily and weekly basis. 

These changes are aimed at ensuring that pilots are well-rested and not overworked, reducing the risk of fatigue-related incidents. 

India’s FTDL rules vs Global standards 

While India’s FTDL rules are aligned with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s general fatigue management guidelines, they are seen as more rigid compared to many foreign aviation regulations. 

• United States (FAA): The FAA’s rules for flight duty times allow for longer duty periods, often based on the time of day the flight begins and the number of flight sectors (legs) in a shift. They focus more on allowing flexibility in flight scheduling. 
• European Union (EASA): EASA’s rules, while also addressing pilot fatigue, are based on detailed calculations that factor in circadian rhythms and the time of day pilots operate. These regulations allow for some flexibility but still enforce rest requirements and flight hour limits. 
• Canada: Canada’s aviation authority, like EASA and FAA, has its own set of FTDL rules that aim to balance operational flexibility with fatigue management. Canada is also in the process of reviewing and updating these regulations. 

India’s aviation industry has seen rapid growth, and with that, concerns about pilot fatigue have increased. The new regulations are designed to ensure that as demand for air travel rises, safety doesn’t take a backseat. The stricter limits on night flights and weekly rest are aimed at minimising fatigue, which is seen as particularly important in India’s high-volume domestic flight operations. 

Challenges & Implementation 

While these changes are beneficial from a safety perspective, they present challenges for airlines. The stricter rules require careful planning of flight schedules and crew rotations, which has led to some operational disruptions as airlines adjust. In fact, airlines are now required to report fatigue data quarterly, adding an additional layer of oversight to ensure compliance. 

India’s FTDL rules are among the most stringent globally, aiming to reduce pilot fatigue and improve flight safety. These changes are aligned with international safety standards but are more rigid compared to those in places like the US and Europe, where more flexible systems exist.