The DGCA told the Delhi High Court it has granted no exemptions to airlines on pilots’ weekly rest, asserting before the Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya-led Bench that mandatory rest norms are non-negotiable and strictly enforceable nationwide aviation safety.
NEW DELHI: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) informed the Delhi High Court that it has not granted any exceptions to airlines regarding the provision of weekly rest for pilots.
During the proceedings, DGCA counsel Anjana Gosain stated before the Division Bench, consisting of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia, that the requirement for pilots’ weekly rest is “non-negotiable” and remains in effect.
Gosain explained,
“Weekly rest is non-negotiable, and it cannot be tampered with. No relaxation has been given to any of the airlines. We have not withdrawn it. This statement can be there that weekly rest remains in operation,”
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She noted that a specific relaxation has only been provided to IndiGo Airlines regarding night operations, and this exception is valid only until February 10.
The Bench was addressing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Sabari Roy Lenka and other plaintiffs, who challenged the DGCA’s decision to suspend the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules due to significant disruptions in airline services.
The petitioners argued that the DGCA lacks the authority to keep the rules in abeyance and asserted that the rules should be implemented.
The revised norms, introduced in 2025, aim to improve safety by limiting pilot duty hours, extending rest periods, and reducing the number of night landings, aligning with global fatigue-risk standards.
However, when these stricter regulations came into effect, IndiGo, the nation’s largest airline, faced challenges in compliance, resulting in widespread flight cancellations and delays in December 2025.
To mitigate passenger disruptions, the DGCA temporarily suspended the new FDTL rules and granted exemptions until early February 2026 to allow airlines time to adjust.
In addition, the petitioners requested the Court to prohibit airlines from labeling themselves as low-cost carriers, arguing that there is no statutory definition or legal recognition of a “Low-Cost Airline” under the Aircraft Act, 1934, the Aircraft Rules, 1937, or any Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR).
They also called for action against IndiGo for failing to offer amenities such as free meals, refreshments, and hotel accommodations during flight cancellations.
The Court issued notices to the Central government, DGCA, and IndiGo, seeking their responses to the petition. The case is scheduled for another hearing in four weeks.
Advocates Shiv Prakash Pandey and Sharmistha Choudhary represented the petitioners.