- By Chetna Shree
- Fri, 05 Dec 2025 06:51 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
IndiGo Flight Cancellations: For many passengers, puzzled by the term ‘FDTL’ amid IndiGo’s widespread flight cancellations, the acronym has suddenly become hard to ignore. Flight Duty Time Limitations or FDTL are regulations that set the maximum hours a pilot can be on duty, the minimum rest periods they must take, and the number of overnight flights an airline can schedule. These rules are designed to prevent pilot fatigue and ensure safety, even during periods of high operational demand.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has recently updated all these areas, tightening rules on pilot duty hours, rest periods, and overnight flight operations.
What Is FDTL?
Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) sets the rule for how long a pilot can work, and the rest that must follow. The regulations define a pilot’s duty period, from reporting for work to sign-off and limit the number of hours they can fly. They also cover late-night and early-morning operations and ensure minimum rest between duty cycles.
FDTL are aligned with the international standards, aiming to maintain safety and manage pilot fatigue.
What Are The New FDTL Norms That Led To IndiGo Crisis?
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued tighter regulations in January 2024, with full implementation planned for late 2025, News18 reported. The new norms cover rest periods, definitions of night flying, overnight workloads, and controls on cumulative pilot fatigue.
Key Changes In Pilot Duty Rules
- Pilots must now receive at least 48 hours of rest per week, increasing to 60 hours if they operate more than three night duties within seven days.
- The definition of night flying has been expanded to 12 midnight to 6 AM, up from the earlier 5 AM.
- Night duties are limited to a maximum of two landings per shift, and flight time during night duties is capped at eight hours, with a maximum duty period of 10 hours.
- Only two consecutive night shifts are generally allowed before additional rest becomes mandatory.
- Airlines must submit quarterly fatigue reports and are encouraged to adopt advanced fatigue risk management systems.
The DGCA rolled out the new rules this year in two phases, in July and November, following a directive from the Delhi High Court. While the first phase caused minimal disruption, the second phase, which concentrates on night-time flights and crew scheduling, has affected IndiGo more than any other airline, as its aircraft and crews are used more intensively than any other airline.
DGCA Rolls Back New Pilot Rest Rules
Following widespread disruptions across IndiGo’s network, the DGCA withdrew the new weekly roster rule under Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), which had tightened pilots’ weekly rest requirements.
"In view of the ongoing operational disruptions and representations received from various airlines regarding the need to ensure continuity and stability of operations, the instruction contained in the referenced paragraph that no leave shall be substituted for weekly rest is hereby withdrawn with immediate effect," the DGCA said.