‘Uncompetitive’: Months after IndiGo flights fiasco, airline MD criticises new pilot duty rules

IndiGo Managing Director Rahul Bhatia criticized new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules as 'uncompetitive' and urged the government to review them.

The DGCA revised FDTL rules in November 2025 to reduce pilot fatigue, extending weekly rest from 36 to 48 hours and imposing tighter night operation restrictions.

IndiGo experienced operational disruptions in December 2025, cancelling 2,507 flights over three days, and was directed to cut its winter schedule by 10%.

Bhatia argued that the new rules reduce pilot productivity and increase costs, making Indian airlines less competitive globally.

Pilot associations supported the revised norms as a step to strengthen aviation safety.