Delhi High Court Issues Notice on PIL Challenging DGCA’s FDTL Relaxations

The Delhi High Court on Friday , Jan 30, issued notices to the Union government, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and InterGlobe Aviation Ltd, which operates IndiGo Airlines, in response to a public interest litigation challenging the aviation regulator’s decision to allow relaxations under the revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) framework. During the hearing, the DGCA firmly told the Court that the mandatory weekly rest requirement for pilots has not been relaxed for any airline. Appearing on behalf of the regulator, advocate Anjana Gosain submitted that weekly rest provisions continue to remain fully enforceable and untouched. “Weekly rest is non-negotiable. It cannot be interfered with. No relaxation has been granted to any airline on this count,” Gosain informed the Bench, requesting that the statement be formally recorded. She clarified that the only concession provided by the DGCA relates to night operations, and that too is temporary, valid only until February 10, 2026. The relaxation, she said, has been granted solely to facilitate operational adjustments during the transition to the revised regime. The PIL contends that the DGCA has, in effect, placed the revised FDTL regulations in abeyance until February 10, 2026, and argues that the regulator lacks statutory authority to suspend or defer notified safety norms governing pilot fatigue and passenger safety.