Indian airlines IndiGo and Air India have sought a temporary exemption from pilot duty hour norms from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) as flight durations increase due to the ongoing West Asia conflict, according to sources cited by CNBC-TV18.
Longer routes forcing operational adjustments
Airlines are facing significantly longer international flight paths after several West Asian airspaces became restricted or risky due to the escalating conflict in the region. As a result, carriers are being forced to divert flights and take longer alternative routes, increasing total flying time for several sectors.
Industry sources said the longer routes are stretching flight durations beyond limits currently allowed under pilot duty regulations.
Pilot duty hour norms becoming a challenge
Under existing rules, flights longer than 10 hours require an additional pilot on board to comply with fatigue management and safety regulations. However, with sudden route diversions and extended flying times, airlines are reportedly finding it difficult to consistently deploy additional crew at short notice.
To manage the operational disruptions, both IndiGo and Air India have requested temporary regulatory relaxation from the DGCA.
Impact of the West Asia conflict on aviation
The aviation sector has been closely monitoring developments in West Asia, where escalating tensions and airspace risks have forced several international carriers to reroute flights to avoid conflict zones.
These diversions are not only increasing flight durations but also leading to higher fuel consumption, crew scheduling challenges, and operational complexity for airlines.
The DGCA has not yet publicly confirmed whether the temporary exemption request will be approved.