'Weekly rest for pilots mandatory, no airline given exemption': DGCA to Delhi HC amid FDTL dispute

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• DGCA told Delhi HC weekly pilot rest is mandatory, no relaxation for airlines.
• IndiGo's limited relaxation applies to specific night flights until Feb 10.
• Delhi HC issued notice to DGCA, IndiGo, and Centre; next hearing in four weeks

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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation informed the Delhi High Court that it has not allowed any airline to dilute or bypass the requirement of granting weekly rest to pilots.

Appearing before a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia, counsel for the aviation regulator underlined that the obligation remains firmly in place and continues to operate.

Addressing the court, DGCA counsel Anjana Gosain stated, “Weekly rest is non-negotiable, and it cannot be tampered with. No relaxation has been given to any of the airlines. We have not withdrawn it. This statement can be there that weekly rest remains in operation.”

She further clarified that while limited relaxation has been extended to IndiGo Airlines, it is confined only to certain night operations and is valid only until February 10. According to the regulator, the core requirement relating to weekly rest has not been touched.

Petition questions DGCA’s power to suspend rules

The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Sabari Roy Lenka and others, who alleged that the DGCA had decided to place the revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules in abeyance after airlines faced severe operational disruptions.

The petitioners argued that the DGCA lacks the power to suspend or keep statutory rules in abeyance and that the revised norms must be implemented without delay.

They contended that the revised framework was introduced in 2025 with the objective of enhancing safety, restricting pilot duty hours, increasing rest periods, and reducing night landings, in line with global fatigue-risk management practices.

When the updated norms were implemented, IndiGo reportedly struggled to comply, leading to widespread flight cancellations and delays in December 2025. To ease passenger inconvenience, the DGCA temporarily placed some provisions in abeyance and granted limited exemptions to IndiGo until early February 2026.

Additional reliefs sought, notice issued

Apart from seeking enforcement of the revised FDTL rules, the petitioners also urged the court to restrain airlines from branding themselves as “low-cost” carriers, asserting that no such classification exists under the Aircraft Act, 1934, the Aircraft Rules, 1937, or any applicable Civil Aviation Requirement.

They further sought action against IndiGo for allegedly failing to provide free meals, refreshments, and hotel accommodation to passengers affected by cancellations.

The High Court issued notice to the Central government, the DGCA, and IndiGo, calling for their responses. The matter is scheduled to be taken up again after four weeks.