The recent disruptions in India’s aviation sector , in particular IndiGo’s wave of flight cancellations, have placed the spotlight firmly on the new fatigue and rest norms developed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The public frustration is understandable. The cancellations appear to have stemmed from IndiGo’s scheduling gaps and inadequate crew planning rather than any flaw in the regulations themselves. In this context, any temptation to dilute the new rules must be resisted.

Aviation safety is grounded in the inviolable principles of human physiology. The DGCA’s new framework introduces changes aimed at minimising fatigue. The weekly rest period has been increased from 36 to 48 hours. The number of night landings permitted per pilot has been reduced from six

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