NEW DELHI (Kashmir English): The death of two Indian pilots within 48 hours have raised serious questions over the country’s aviation safety framework.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA) has warned the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) that continued delays in the implementation of Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms are pushing the system towards a fatigue-driven safety risk.
Airline Pilots’ Association of India
In a strongly worded letter dated May 1, the pilots’ body flagged an urgent need for regulatory intervention, and said that the issue “bears directly on flight safety, regulatory credibility, and the well-being of flight crew”, particularly in the backdrop of “recent death of pilots in this week”.
The association noted that repeated relaxations granted to airlines have “materially diluted the intent of the FDTL regulations”, with temporary exemptions becoming standard practice. This, it said, has allowed operators to function “at or near regulatory limits without adequate safety buffers”, undermining fatigue management systems.
Calling for immediate corrective action, ALPA demanded a time-bound roadmap for full implementation of FDTL norms and the phased withdrawal of all operational variations.
The association also raised concerns over transparency, pointing to the continued non-disclosure of the inquiry report into the December 2025 disruption involving IndiGo.
It said withholding the report raises questions about “systemic resilience and operational planning” and called for its immediate release in the interest of accountability.
“The safety of human life must remain paramount and non-negotiable in all aviation operations,” the association said, warning that commercial pressures must not override safety imperatives.
