Overview
- The court issued notices to the Centre, the DGCA and IndiGo on a PIL challenging the December 5 relaxation of revised Flight Duty Time Limitation norms.
- Judges asked why the DGCA withdrew the bar on substituting weekly rest with leave without a deadline while granting IndiGo a time‑bound night‑operations relief until February 10.
- The DGCA told the bench that weekly rest for pilots remains mandatory and that no airline has been exempted from this requirement.
- Petitioners contend the abeyance and carrier-specific relief jeopardize passenger safety and exceed the regulator’s authority, seeking to quash the December order.
- Further hearings are expected in the weeks ahead as the DGCA and IndiGo file their responses and place letters, audits and policy reasons on record.