Pilots’ Union Blames Airlines For Crew Shortage, Flags Slot Misuse & Pressure To Weaken Fatigue Norms

New Delhi: Amid widespread flight cancellations across India, the Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA India) has issued a sharp statement alleging that the disruption being attributed to a pilot shortage under the new Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) norms may be the result of poor planning-and possibly a deliberate tactic to pressure aviation regulators.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, the union said airlines, including major carriers, had been fully aware of the revised FDTL regulations since January 2024, yet failed to plan adequately. The revised norms mandate increased pilot rest periods to address fatigue, requiring carriers to adjust schedules and crew strength accordingly.

“Despite sufficient time being accorded, most airlines started preparing rather late”, the statement noted, suggesting delays in crew rostering and fleet utilisation strategies. ALPA warned that the cancellations could be seen as an attempt to “arm-twist the regulator” into relaxing fatigue-related safety requirements.

ALPA also raised concerns about slot hoarding, accusing some airlines of scheduling more flights than they could realistically operate with available aircraft and crew. Under international aviation standards, carriers must operate a minimum percentage of their allocated slots or risk losing them in the next cycle.

“If airlines consistently fail to meet this requirement due to a self-inflicted pilot shortage, the DGCA has the mechanism to re-assess and potentially revoke those slots”, the union said, adding that such slots could be reassigned to airlines better prepared to operate them.

The union also pointed to competition dynamics, claiming some carriers may be attempting to retain high-value airport slots even if they lack the operational capability to service them. It further cited past industry observations of alleged misuse of FDTL waiver provisions.

ALPA warned that granting repeated exemptions to the new duty limits could compromise safety. “The entire purpose of the new norms is to reduce pilot fatigue. Any relaxation should be based on scientific assessment and adequate risk mitigation”, the release stated.

In an exclusive interview with Republic, Sam Thomas, President of the Airline Pilots Association of India, said the disruption was a direct consequence of “IndiGo’s prolonged and unorthodox lean manpower strategy”, especially in flight operations. He noted that other carriers implementing the same Fatigue Duty Time Limit (FDTL) norms had not reported similar widespread cancellations.

“This crisis is artificial in nature”, Thomas said, adding that airlines were attempting to “arm-twist the regulator” and pressure the civil aviation ministry to roll back safety rules they do not favour.

According to ALPA, airlines had been given nearly two years to prepare for the new FDTL framework. Phase-1 rolled out in July and Phase-2 in November. Yet, Thom​as argued, carriers continued operating with insufficient staffing.

“To suddenly wake up one morning and say you have a shortage of pilots is… bordering on criminality”, he said.

Thomas also claimed this was a recurring tactic. “Whenever something doesn’t go their way, airlines create a small artificial crisis and put pressure on the regulator”, he added.

ALPA welcomed the DGCA’s response and urged the regulator to “step in firmly” to prevent what it described as misuse of airport slots and mismanagement under the guise of compliance issues.

The association urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to evaluate pilot availability more rigorously when awarding slots and approving airline schedules, in line with modern fatigue-management frameworks.

“This situation points to a failure of proactive resource planning by dominant airlines”, said Capt. Sam Thomas, President of ALPA India, adding that commercial pressure should not override passenger and crew safety.

There was no immediate response from major airlines or DGCA to ALPA’s allegations. However, the cancellations have resulted in widespread passenger inconvenience during the peak travel season, prompting calls for regulatory scrutiny.

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