IndiGo MD Rahul Bhatia Urges Review of New Pilot Duty Rules

Rahul Bhatia, Managing Director and Co-Founder of IndiGo, has urged the Indian government to revisit the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules for pilots. Speaking in an interview with PTI, Bhatia stated that the current framework diminishes cockpit productivity, increases operational expenses, and leaves Indian carriers uncompetitive compared to international peers following major operational disruptions during the peak travel season.

What Happened

The revised FDTL regulations were introduced in phases by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to reduce pilot fatigue and took effect in November 2025. The updated rules extended mandatory weekly rest for pilots from 36 hours to 48 hours, placed tighter limits on night operations and night landings, and recalculated duty periods to account for circadian rhythm and fatigue.

During the implementation period, IndiGo faced severe operational disruptions, canceling 2,507 flights over three days in December 2025. A DGCA inquiry attributed these disruptions to excessive optimisation of operations, inadequate regulatory preparedness, software shortcomings, and weaknesses in management structure and operational control. The DGCA directed IndiGo to reduce its winter schedule by 10% and later granted temporary relief on FDTL implementation through February 10.

Key Highlights

• Objection to FDTL Rules: IndiGo MD Rahul Bhatia described the current duty limitations as off the mark from global benchmarks, driving up operating costs in a fine-margin industry.
• Regulatory Background: The DGCA updated FDTL rules to mitigate fatigue by increasing mandatory weekly rest to 48 hours and curtailing night duties.
• Airline vs Pilot Perspectives: While airlines expressed concerns over higher staffing needs and expenses, pilot associations backed the changes as a crucial step for aviation safety.
• Operational Footprint: Operating a fleet of over 400 aircraft, IndiGo runs more than 2,100 daily flights and held a 66.3% domestic market share in June.
• Workforce Statistics: As of late March 2026, InterGlobe Aviation Ltd employed 41,907 people, including 5,786 pilots and 11,203 cabin crew members.

Why This Matters

In its 2025-26 annual report released this week, IndiGo noted that revised crew rostering rules created significant operational challenges during peak travel periods, leading to flight delays and cancellations. Bhatia emphasized that while safety remains paramount across all airlines, domestic regulations should remain consistent with global standards—such as those in the US—so that Indian carriers are not placed at a competitive disadvantage.

What to Watch Next

Bhatia confirmed that active discussions are ongoing between airline representatives and the government regarding the FDTL norms, as the industry seeks alignment with global best practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What changes were introduced in the revised FDTL rules?

The DGCA rules extended pilot weekly rest periods from 36 hours to 48 hours, placed stricter restrictions on night duty hours and landings, and altered shift calculations to address fatigue.

Why is IndiGo seeking a review of the pilot duty regulations?

IndiGo MD Rahul Bhatia stated that the regulations significantly reduce cockpit productivity, raise operating costs, and reduce the international competitiveness of Indian airlines.

What caused IndiGo’s flight cancellations in December 2025?

The DGCA cited excessive operational optimisation, inadequate regulatory preparedness, software issues, management weaknesses, and rostering rule changes as key factors behind the cancellation of 2,507 flights over three days.

Source: Based on reporting from PTI and published by Times of India.