DGCA rolls back new ‘weekly rest’ rules: What triggered IndiGo's massive meltdown

The easing of norms is meant to help airlines better manage and stabilise operations while they contend with staffing gaps in pilots and cabin crew

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday granted a one-time exemption from pilot night duty rules after IndiGo’s operational crisis continued to disrupt air travel across the country for a third-day straight.

The regulator also withdrew the rule that restricted airlines from counting pilot leave as weekly rest.

“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instruction contained in the referenced paragraph that no leave shall be substituted for weekly rest is hereby withdrawn with immediate effect,” the DGCA notification reads.

The easing of norms is meant to help airlines better manage and stabilise operations while they contend with staffing gaps in pilots and cabin crew.

IndiGo flight cancellations: What are the FDTL pilot rules that caused chaos?

IndiGo’s ongoing operational turmoil pushed India’s aviation sector into unprecedented turbulence, now in its third day, exposing the difficulties of transitioning to the new flight duty time limitations (FDTL) norms for pilots.

With hundreds of cancellations, travellers from Delhi to Bengaluru have been left stuck at airports.

The latest rules, implemented in 2025, are --

-Weekly rest increased to 48 consecutive hours for pilots

-Night period redefined as 12 am to 6 am (earlier 12 am to 5 am)

-Limit of two night landings per pilot

-No more than two back-to-back night duties

-Mandatory roster revisions and quarterly fatigue-management reports

These restrictions pushed a significant portion of IndiGo’s pilots into mandatory rest just as the airline ramped up its winter schedule on October 26.

On Friday, the DGCA said that the exemption covers provisions under night duty from 0000-0650 hours and restrictions on night operations of the revised FDTL Civil Aviation Requirements Section 7 Series J Part III Rev 2, Phase-II, applicable to the airline's A320 fleet, and is valid until February 10, 2026.

In its decision, DGCA noted that while the operator is primarily responsible for passenger inconvenience, the exemption is being granted in the public interest to ensure continuity of essential air services. The regulator also stressed that safety requirements must continue to be strictly observed and reserves the right to revoke the exemption if safety is compromised.

The relaxation comes as IndiGo’s crisis hit its third day on Friday, prompting another wave of mass cancellations. Over 700 flights were cancelled today, after more than 550 scrapped yesterday, throwing airport operations into disarray.