IndiGo crisis | Aviation ministry relaxes some FDTL norms for airline, says complete restoration of flights in 3 days

New Delhi: IndiGo was on Friday granted one-time exemption on specific Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms till February 10, which included relaxations on night duty regulations, “solely to facilitate operational stabilisation”, as the operations of the country’s biggest airline went into a tailspin in the past four days.

Besides this, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) also eased flying duty norms by allowing substitution of leaves with a weekly rest period.

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However, an official statement by Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu said the new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms “have been placed in abeyance with immediate effect”.

While it gave an impression that it is applicable to all airlines, an updated press statement shared with media only referred to specific norms applicable to IndiGo while officials maintained that there is no relaxation for others. The Minister’s statement was not withdrawn from the Press Information Bureau website.

The updated press release said IndiGo pilots who are deployed elsewhere, including with DGCA, or are presently in refresher course be used for flying duties till February to normalise operations. Those 12 pilots deployed with DGCA could be used for initial 7-10 days, the DGCA order said.

It also said the one-time exemption on specific norms to IndiGo till February 10 is solely to facilitate operational stabilisation and in no way amounts to dilution of safety requirements.

As over 500 services were cancelled, including all flights from Delhi airport till Friday 11:59 PM, the Ministry of Civil Aviation stepped in to resolve the crisis "without compromising" on air safety, even as it hoped that the operations begin to stabilise and return to normal by Saturday and complete restoration within next three days.

FTDL mandated 48 hours uninterrupted rest a week, only two consecutive night duties and other measures, which were implemented in two phases from July 1 and November 1. The new forms meant airlines had to hire flight more crew, which was on a slow pace in IndiGo that resulted in the collapse of its services.

In his statement, Naidu also announced a high-level inquiry into "what went wrong" at IndiGo, "determine accountability" wherever required for appropriate actions, and "recommend measures to prevent similar disruptions" in the future and "ensuring that passengers do not face such hardships again".

Asserting that the government is "fully alert to the difficulties" being faced by air passengers and remains in continuous consultation with airlines and all relevant stakeholders, he said every necessary measure, including regulatory relaxations as permitted by DGCA, is being taken to stabilise airline operations and alleviate public inconvenience at the earliest possible time.

Naidu said airlines have been instructed to provide regular and accurate updates through enhanced online information systems, enabling passengers to monitor real-time flight status from their homes. In case of any flight cancellations, the airlines will issue full refunds automatically, without the need for passengers to make any requests, while those who are stranded due to prolonged delays will be provided hotel accommodation by the airlines.

"Special priority is being accorded to senior citizens and differently abled. They will be provided lounge access and every possible assistance to ensure that their travel experience remains comfortable...refreshments and essential services will be provided to all passengers affected by delayed flights," he said.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has established a 24×7 Control Room -- 011-24610843, 011-24693963, 096503-91859 -- that is monitoring the situation on a real-time basis to ensure swift corrective action, effective coordination, and immediate resolution of issues as they arise, he added.

Earlier in the day, DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai requested the cooperation of all pilots to ensure smooth flight operations amid massive IndiGo flight disruptions.