DELHI- Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) has drawn a sharp warning from the DGCA over its handling of a temporary pilot duty exemption following Pakistan’s airspace ban.
In particular, two Bengaluru–London flights (AI133) reportedly misapplied the exemption—triggering scrutiny for what the regulator deemed “oversmartness.”
Photo: PTIAir India Pilot Duty Exemption
The DGCA granted a limited exemption in late April 2025 after Pakistan closed its airspace, allowing extended pilot duty on affected Westbound flights. It capped duty at 16 hours for flights under 12 hours and 24 hours for longer sectors—while also adjusting required rest periods.
However, during a spot check, two Bengaluru–London flights on 16 and 17 May (AI133) were found to exceed the 10-hour duty limit under standard Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section 7, Series J, Part III.
These flights hadn’t traversed Pakistani airspace and thus didn’t qualify for the exemption—yet the airline reduced cockpit crew from three to two, citing the relaxed regime.
The DGCA reacted sharply. A senior official labeled the move “oversmartness,” and on 11 August, the regulator delivered a formal warning to Air India’s CEO and Accountable Manager, Campbell Wilson, citing inadequate corrective response to the show-cause notice issued on 20 June.
Photo: Utkarsh Thakkar (Vimanspotter)A Closer Look: What’s at Stake
By misapplying the exemption and cutting crew, Air India breached both flight duty time norms and standard crew-resourcing requirements. That raises concerns about internal governance and the role of the Accountable Manager in safeguarding safety-critical rules.
The airspace ban cost the airline heavily—estimates point to $600 million in annual losses due to detours, extra fuel burn, and scheduling pressure. The exemption was meant as a stop-gap, but pushing its limits risked safety margins.
This isn’t an isolated case. The DGCA has issued multiple show-cause notices against Air India for failing pilot rest norms, insufficient cabin crew on long-haul flights, and training lapses. It underscores a pattern of compliance lapses requiring urgent corrective action.
Air India must tighten its regulatory oversight and ensure that exemptions aren’t used as a blanket workaround. Even under pressure—from aircraft shortages to airspace restrictions—compliance with CARs is non-negotiable.
The DGCA’s warning to the CEO isn’t just procedural—it’s a clear signal that safety cannot be compromised under any pretext.
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The post Air India Warned by DGCA for Misusing Pilot Duty Exemption appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
