India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has informed airlines that variations to pilot duty and rest regulations will not be permitted once the second phase of Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules takes full effect in March 2027, according to people familiar with the matter.
The second phase was originally scheduled to begin on November 1, 2025, but was deferred after IndiGo’s operational disruption caused widespread flight cancellations. Airlines have now been directed to plan crew rosters and operations to comply with the regulations ahead of the new deadline.
FDTL rules set limits on pilots’ duty hours, night operations and consecutive duties, while specifying minimum rest periods to reduce fatigue and improve flight safety. The first phase took effect on July 1, 2025, while the second phase primarily addresses night operations.
The earlier disruption affected more than 1.04 million passengers in December, with over 93% of those affected linked to IndiGo, according to DGCA data cited in the report. The airline’s market share fell from 63.6% to 59.6% in one month. The DGCA also imposed a ₹22.2 crore fine on IndiGo after granting it temporary exemptions from several FDTL provisions.
Airlines had previously sought changes to certain requirements, including IndiGo’s proposal to define night duty as midnight to 5 a.m. rather than midnight to 6 a.m. However, those requests are reportedly no longer being pursued. Some existing relaxations are due to expire on October 31, 2026, and may be extended, according to the report.
