Air India FDTL Violation 2025: DGCA Issues Show-Cause Notice Over Crew Duty Breach

Air India FDTL violation 2025 has triggered a DGCA show-cause notice after crew duty limits were breached on Bengaluru-London flights. Full details on the safety oversight.

New Delhi, June 20 (The Chandigarh News) – The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s civil aviation watchdog, has issued a show-cause notice to Air India over alleged violations of Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) during two recent international flights from Bengaluru to London.

The incident pertains to Air India flight AI133 operated on May 16 and 17, 2025, both of which reportedly exceeded the permissible duty limit of 10 hours for the onboard crew, a direct breach of aviation safety norms under Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 7, Series J Part III.

DGCA’s Warning: “Why Action Should Not Be Taken”

The DGCA’s spot checks, which were conducted as part of its routine oversight, revealed that the crew of the said flights were pushed beyond the mandated duty hours, raising serious safety and compliance concerns.

“It has been observed that the Accountable Manager of Air India operated two flights from Bengaluru to London on May 16 and May 17, both of which exceeded the stipulated flight time limit of 10 hours,” reads the official DGCA notice.

Furthermore, the regulator pointed out that the Accountable Manager of Air India failed to ensure adherence to FDTL norms, which are crucial in ensuring crew alertness, passenger safety, and operational efficiency.

The notice has asked the airline to respond within seven days, explaining why action should not be taken under the applicable civil aviation regulations.

What Are Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) — And Why They Matter

Flight Duty Time Limitations are strict regulations set by aviation authorities to prevent fatigue among pilots and cabin crew, a known contributor to aviation accidents and in-flight errors.

Under Indian aviation laws, crew members are not allowed to be on duty for more than 10 hours for certain types of long-haul international flights. These limits are calculated based on multiple factors including the time of departure, number of flight sectors, and rest periods before duty.

“FDTL norms are in place for a reason. Fatigue can compromise decision-making abilities in the cockpit, potentially putting hundreds of lives at risk,” said an aviation safety expert speaking to The Chandigarh News.

Violating FDTL guidelines is considered a serious breach and can attract penalties, including suspension of permits or personnel, grounding of aircraft, and even legal action.

Air India Yet to Respond

As of the time of publication, Air India has not issued a formal response to the DGCA notice. The Tata Group-owned airline, which is undergoing a major restructuring and modernization effort under Tata Sons’ leadership, is now under pressure to explain this lapse in safety oversight.

While the airline has been pushing for greater efficiency and international expansion post-privatization, compliance with safety regulations remains non-negotiable, say experts.

“No matter how ambitious the expansion plan is, you can’t afford to overlook safety protocols. Crew fatigue has been a global concern, and the DGCA is right to demand accountability,” said a former DGCA official.

Broader Concerns in the Aviation Industry

This incident also highlights the growing pressures on airline operations in a post-COVID world, where high passenger demand, pilot shortages, and operational challenges often push crew scheduling to the brink.

Many insiders believe that airlines must invest more in crew management systems and real-time fatigue monitoring tools to prevent such oversights.

“Air India is not alone. Globally, fatigue management is becoming more data-driven and tech-integrated. India needs to catch up,” noted an international aviation analyst.

Will DGCA Take Strong Action?

While the DGCA has given Air India seven days to reply, the aviation sector will be closely watching how this situation unfolds. Depending on the response, the regulator could impose:

• Fines or penalties on the airline
• Warning or suspension for the responsible managers
• Mandated audits or operational restrictions

This could also prompt DGCA to initiate broader checks across airlines, especially for long-haul international operations.

A Wake-Up Call for Indian Aviation

The Air India FDTL violation is more than just a regulatory slip—it is a reminder of the high stakes involved in aviation safety. As India’s skies grow busier with booming air traffic and global ambitions, compliance and crew welfare must remain top priorities.

With passenger safety hanging in the balance, the industry must ensure that efficiency never comes at the cost of exhaustion.