Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has given temporary relief to Air India for its long-haul international flights.
This comes as the airline is facing major disruptions due to airspace restrictions caused by the ongoing Iran conflict.
Flights to regions like Europe, United States, and Canada are taking longer routes, affecting both operations and passenger travel.
Why Flights Are Taking Longer
Due to restricted airspace over Iran and Iraq, airlines are being forced to avoid these regions.
As a result, Air India flights are now taking longer detours, often flying via Egypt or over the Arabian Sea and parts of Africa.
These changes mean:
Longer travel time
Higher fuel consumption
More pressure on flight crews
In some cases, flights have even been cancelled due to these challenges.
DGCA Allows Relaxation in Pilot Duty Rules
To help manage the situation, DGCA has relaxed certain pilot duty rules until April 30.
Here’s what has changed:
Flights can now operate with 2 pilots instead of 3
Maximum flight time increased to 11.5 hours
Flight duty period extended to 11 hours 45 minutes
30-minute roster buffer requirement relaxed
These changes give airlines more flexibility to operate longer routes.
What Do These Terms Mean?
Flight Time (FT): Time from aircraft movement for take-off to when it stops after landing
Flight Duty Period (FDP): Total duty time from reporting to shutdown after the final flight
With longer routes, both these durations have increased significantly.
Wider Impact on Airlines
The ongoing conflict involving Iran and the Israel–US alliance has led to airspace restrictions across the region.
This has impacted multiple airlines, not just Air India.
It is still unclear whether IndiGo has received similar relaxations for its long-haul flights.
What This Means for Passengers
If you’re flying internationally, especially to western countries, you may experience:
Longer flight durations
Possible delays or cancellations
Changes in flight routes
Airlines are trying to adjust, but the situation remains uncertain.
This temporary relief from DGCA highlights how global conflicts can directly impact air travel, making journeys longer and more complex for both airlines and passengers.
