Overview
- DGCA-approved relaxations run through April 30 for designated two‑pilot sectors, raising the maximum flight time to 11 hours 30 minutes and the duty period to 14 hours 45 minutes.
- Air India cites mandatory rerouting around Iranian and Iraqi airspace via alternate corridors to Europe and North America, with some ultra‑long‑haul services using Rome for technical stops.
- The waiver removes the 30‑minute roster planning buffer on specified flights, with mitigations that include four additional hours of crew rest, fleet-specific NOTAM briefings and continuous monitoring with the regulator.
- The Federation of Indian Pilots has asked the regulator to withdraw or review the dispensations, warning of heightened fatigue risks, referencing ICAO guidance near 13‑hour duties and flagging Boeing 787 seat-rest limitations.
- Reports allege a planned Jeddah pairing exceeded the extended duty ceiling by 10 minutes, prompting scrutiny of compliance, while regulator sources indicate only Air India sought this relief.