DGCA Confirms No Relaxation on Pilot Weekly Rest Rules

The DGCA, which is the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, has made an important statement. It clearly said that the rule about weekly rest for pilots is still necessary and must be followed by all airlines. This rule says that pilots should get enough rest each week to stay alert and safe while flying. The DGCA has not changed this rule, and no airline is allowed to ignore or relax it. One of the most important points is that this rule is the same for everyone. No airline has been given special permission or exemption to break these weekly rest rules. The rule is fully in effect and cannot be changed. It is a critical safety rule that helps protect both the pilots and passengers. There is one exception. The airline IndiGo Airlines has been allowed a temporary relaxation of the rule for pilots working during night flights. This exception is only valid until February 10, 2026. It means that, for now, IndiGo can operate night flights with a different rest schedule. But this is only a special case, and it is meant to be temporary. The DGCA has made it clear that this exception is specific to night flying, and it will not last forever. Once the date passes, the normal rules will apply again. The Delhi High Court has also taken notice of this relaxation. It has issued notices, which are official legal warnings or requests, about the special permission given to airlines. This shows that the issue is being examined from a legal point of view. The court’s involvement indicates that some people may have questions about whether the relaxation follows the law and safety rules. The DGCA also clarified that the rules about leave or days off are separate from the weekly rest rules. The leave policies are agreements between pilots and their airlines. These contracts define how many days off pilots get and other work details. However, these leave policies do not replace or override the mandatory weekly rest rules that are set by the DGCA for safety reasons. Right now, the rules about weekly rest are being enforced very strictly. The only exception is the temporary relaxation for IndiGo concerning night flights. Everywhere else, the rules are followed without exceptions. The DGCA is monitoring the situation closely to ensure that safety standards are maintained. Why is this important? Following the weekly rest rules is vital for the safety of both pilots and passengers. When pilots do not get enough rest, they can become tired and less alert. This can increase the chance of mistakes while flying. Such mistakes can lead to accidents or safety issues in the air. By keeping these rules in place, the DGCA wants to make sure everyone remains safe during every flight. The temporary relaxation for IndiGo is aimed at helping the airline manage its night flight operations better. Night flights often require special considerations, and the airline requested this exception. Still, the DGCA has confirmed that this is only a temporary measure. Once the deadline passes, the normal rules about weekly rest will need to be followed again by IndiGo and all other airlines. The official position of the DGCA is clear. They have stated that the weekly rest requirements continue to be in effect and that safety rules are very important. They also emphasized that such rules cannot be relaxed forever. Any exceptions made now are limited in time and scope. This approach ensures that safety is prioritized while giving some flexibility for special circumstances, like the night flights allowed for IndiGo. In conclusion, the DGCA is committed to maintaining high safety standards in Indian aviation. While they have granted a temporary exception for one airline to operate during night hours, they have also reinforced that the core rule of weekly rest remains a strict requirement. The agency’s role is to ensure that pilots get enough rest so they can perform their duties safely, and that no airline bypasses this safety-critical rule without proper authorization. This demonstrates the importance placed on safety in the skies for everyone.