Is DGCA Making Fatigue-Management Training Mandatory for Airline Crew?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In a significant move to enhance aviation safety, the DGCA has mandated annual fatigue-management training for airline crew members, addressing the critical issue of fatigue in flight operations. This initiative aims to improve safety standards and crew well-being in the aviation industry.
Key Takeaways
- Annual training is now mandatory for airline crew.
- Training will focus on fatigue recognition, management, and safety.
- Airlines must provide at least one hour of training annually.
- Implementation of a Fatigue Review Committee is required.
- Quarterly reporting to the DGCA is mandatory.
New Delhi, Nov 25 (NationPress) – The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced new regulations requiring airlines to implement annual fatigue-management training for pilots, cabin crew, and personnel involved in crew scheduling. This initiative arises from increasing apprehensions about the effects of fatigue on flight safety due to extended duty hours.
Under the revised guidelines, each airline must incorporate a minimum of one hour of specialized training into their annual ground training regimen.
This training module will address regulations on flight hours, duty limits, and necessary rest, alongside insights into sleep science, factors disrupting the body's internal clock, and the impact of fatigue on cockpit and cabin performance.
Furthermore, airlines are urged to prepare their crew to identify signs of fatigue, manage their lifestyle and rest efficiently, and grasp the implications of long-haul flights, numerous short journeys, and traversing multiple time zones.
In light of crew scheduling's significance, the program may also encompass dispatchers and flight schedulers.
The DGCA has mandated that airlines establish a transparent mechanism for reporting fatigue and form an independent Fatigue Review Committee to assess these reports and suggest necessary actions.
Airlines must submit quarterly updates to the regulatory body, detailing the number of trained crew, fatigue reports generated, and their acceptance or rejection, along with explanations. According to the new rules, when a crew member requests fatigue leave, they must have completed at least 24 hours of rest, including one local night.
This regulatory change follows a July audit that revealed discrepancies in how airlines understood and enforced fatigue-related regulations. Pilot associations have previously cautioned that recent modifications allowing more night landings and extended duty hours on certain Boeing 787 routes could jeopardize safety.
Previously, the DGCA had increased weekly rest to 48 hours and limited night landings, a decision that initially met resistance from major airlines like IndiGo and Air India before being enforced under the orders of the Delhi High Court.
This new framework signifies a renewed commitment by the regulator to prioritize crew welfare as an essential component of flight safety while proactively addressing fatigue risks within the aviation sector.
Point of View
The DGCA's decision to enforce mandatory fatigue-management training reflects a critical understanding of the importance of crew well-being in ensuring flight safety. This proactive approach not only seeks to mitigate risks associated with fatigue but also sets a precedent for the aviation industry to prioritize the health and safety of its personnel.
NationPress
25/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new DGCA regulation about?
The DGCA has mandated annual fatigue-management training for airline crew members to address safety concerns related to fatigue.
Who will be required to undergo this training?
Pilots, cabin crew, and staff involved in planning crew schedules will be required to participate in this training.
How long will the training be?
Each airline must provide at least one hour of specialized training annually.
What topics will the training cover?
The training will cover flight hours, duty limits, mandatory rest, sleep science, and management of fatigue.
What reporting requirements are in place for airlines?
Airlines must establish a fatigue-reporting mechanism and submit quarterly updates to the DGCA on crew training and fatigue reports.
