NEW DELHI, May 1 — Following the deaths of two pilots in just two days, the Airline Pilots’ Association of India has called for an urgent overhaul of flight duty regulations to protect crew well-being and passenger safety. The association stated Friday that the regulator’s failure to implement revised Flight Duty Time Limitations has created a “fatigue-driven safety risk” that can no longer be ignored.
The association maintained that current fatigue management systems are failing, as evidenced by an “alarmingly low rate of acceptance” of fatigue reports filed by pilots. ALPA stated that when airlines discourage the reporting of exhaustion, it weakens the overall safety culture of the industry. They affirmed that mandatory quarterly submissions of fatigue data and independent audits are necessary to correct this trend.
“Recent deaths of pilots, both under 45, speak volumes about the gravity of the situation,” the pilots’ association affirmed. They stated that the misuse of consecutive night duties has coincided with rising adverse health outcomes for pilots across various domestic carriers. The association maintained that the regulator must ensure roster stability is treated as a measurable safety parameter.
Beyond operational duty hours, the body expressed concern over the financial and structural pressures on the aviation workforce. They stated that while airlines often cite crew shortages, many licensed pilots remain underutilized, creating an imbalance that requires government intervention. ALPA affirmed that the current system places an unfair burden on cadet pilots while simultaneously pushing experienced crew members to their breaking points.
The association declared that any attempt to roll back or further dilute the FDTL framework would be a betrayal of safety standards. They stated that the rules finalized previously must be enforced without further exemptions to ensure uniform compliance. ALPA affirmed that the industry needs a clearly defined transition plan to restore certainty and protect those responsible for the lives of thousands of passengers every day.
