Indian Pilots Federation demands end to airline duty time waivers for safety

December 19, 2025 at 05:56 PM•1 min read

FIP demands the immediate withdrawal of all pilot duty and rest period waivers granted to airlines, citing safety concerns.

Key Points

1FIP formally requested the withdrawal of all dispensations granted to airlines concerning pilot duty and rest period regulations.
2The federation argues that current waivers on Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) directly compromise operational safety standards.
3Demands that future airline schedules and aircraft inductions must be strictly based on the confirmed availability of all necessary crew and engineers.
4The action is being taken by the FIP, which represents approximately 5,000 pilots across the commercial aviation sector.

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP), representing approximately 5,000 commercial aviators, formally requested the immediate withdrawal of all dispensations and variations currently granted to Indian air carriers regarding pilot duty and rest period regulations. The pilots' body emphasized that these waivers compromise flight safety standards, stressing the critical need for strict adherence to Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) to mitigate pilot fatigue risks across the sector.

FIP's appeal is aimed at the regulatory authority, urging a return to baseline safety norms without exceptions for operational convenience. The organization highlighted that any deviation from mandated rest periods inherently increases the risk profile of flight operations, a stance often supported by international aviation safety bodies.

Furthermore, FIP addressed the broader issue of operational planning and expansion. To prevent future systemic crises related to crew shortages, the federation asserted that all future airline schedules, including the induction of new aircraft into the fleet, must be strictly predicated on the confirmed availability of adequate operational personnel. This includes pilots, cabin crew, ground support staff, and maintenance engineers, ensuring that rapid fleet expansion does not outpace the necessary human resources infrastructure required for safe and sustainable operations.