ArdorComm Media News Network
March 17, 2026
India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has granted temporary relief in flight duty regulations to Air India as the airline faces operational challenges due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East that have restricted access to key airspaces.
According to sources, the relaxation in Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms will remain in effect until April 30. The move comes as Air India’s long-haul flights are being forced to take longer alternative routes to reach destinations in Europe and North America because of restrictions in the airspaces of Iran and Iraq.
To bypass these restricted zones, Air India aircraft are now flying via Oman, southern parts of Saudi Arabia and Egypt, increasing overall flying time. Some ultra-long-haul flights are also making technical halts in Rome before continuing to their final destinations.
Under the temporary relaxation for long-haul flights operated by two pilots, the DGCA has increased the permitted Flight Time (FT) by 1 hour and 30 minutes, raising it to 11 hours and 30 minutes. The Flight Duty Period (FDP) has also been extended by 1 hour and 45 minutes, allowing a maximum of 11 hours and 45 minutes.
However, sources have alleged that the airline may be stretching these limits. In one instance, pilots operating flights to Jeddah were reportedly scheduled for a duty period of 11 hours and 55 minutes—about 10 minutes beyond the permitted extension.
The regulator has also temporarily relaxed the mandatory 30-minute buffer required during roster planning. Normally, the maximum Flight Time and Flight Duty Period for a single landing are 10 hours and 13 hours, respectively.
Flight Time refers to the duration from the moment an aircraft begins moving for take-off until it comes to a complete stop after landing. The Flight Duty Period, on the other hand, starts when a crew member reports for duty and ends when the aircraft’s engines are switched off after the final flight of the duty cycle.
Officials from Air India and the DGCA have not yet issued formal comments regarding the relaxations.
It remains unclear whether similar exemptions have been granted to other Indian carriers such as IndiGo for their long-haul services.
The adjustments come as airlines worldwide grapple with disruptions triggered by the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which erupted on February 28 and has led to widespread airspace restrictions across the Middle East.
Source: PTI