Pilots urge DGCA to withdraw decision to extend duty hours for Boeing 787 crew

Pilots’ union ALPA India has urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to withdraw its recent decision to increase the flying duty limit for two-pilot Boeing 787 Dreamliner operations, warning that the change increases the risk of fatigue-related errors.

Under the revised norms, the flight duty time limit (FDTL) for two-crew Dreamliner operations has been increased from 10 hours to 10.5 hours, while the flight duty period (FDP) has been increased from 13 hours to 14 hours. FDP covers the total time a pilot is on duty until the aircraft comes to final standstill after landing.

Air India, operated by the Tata Group, is the primary Indian carrier to fly the B787 Dreamliner.

In a letter to the regulator, the Airline Pilots Association of India said these limits were originally set through scientific research focused on fatigue and safety, and the deviation shows that the DGCA is prioritizing commercial considerations over operational safety.

The association also pointed to a US FAA directive that restricts the recline function of the captain’s seat on the B787, which reportedly worsens in-flight comfort.

ALPA India has demanded that the regulator not only reverse the decision but also conduct a comprehensive fatigue risk assessment with pilot participation before making changes to the established limits. The group said the move is “dangerously inconsistent with global security practices”.

Referring to the crash of an Air India Dreamliner on June 12 shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, it said, “Extending duty hours instead of mandating an augmented crew – especially so soon after the recent fatal accident – ​​raises serious concerns about flight safety.”

The union cautioned that long routes, restricted rest capacity, night flying and adverse weather combined to create a high-risk environment for fatigue-induced errors.