The DGCA maintained that weekly rest remains mandatory, but leaves are a contractual matter.

FDTL Norms Under Scrutiny: HC Probes DGCA’s ‘Indefinite’ Relaxation of Pilot Norms 

The Delhi High Court has questioned the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regarding its "indefinite" relaxation of pilot rest norms. A Bench of Chief Justice D. K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia sought the rationale behind withdrawing a specific rule that prohibited airlines from substituting mandatory weekly rest with contractually owed leaves.

The court’s inquiry follows a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging that this relaxation, issued on December 5, 2025, was primarily intended to assist IndiGo. The airline had faced massive disruptions and hundreds of flight cancellations in early December because it was unprepared for new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) that took effect on November 1, 2025. 

While the DGCA granted a temporary relaxation on night duty norms until February 10, the court noted that the withdrawal of the "non-substitution" rule for weekly rest was "indefinite".

The petitioners, including Sabari Roy Lenka, argue that these relaxations are malafide and compromise public safety by failing to prevent pilot fatigue. 

The DGCA maintained that weekly rest remains mandatory, but leaves are a contractual matter. However, the court emphasised that concerns over pilot exhaustion cannot be "brushed aside" and has directed both the DGCA and IndiGo to file responses within two weeks.

Source: The Tribune