New DGCA rules may see Jet cutting flights

Mumbai : Even as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)’s deadline for implementing new rules for pilots’ duty time and rest draws close, Air India and Jet Airways are refusing to adopt it in current form, fearing an impact on their schedules.
Jet Airways would have to cut flights if the rules, in their current form, come into effect, a senior airline executive told Business Standard. After pressure from pilot unions and a court intervention, the DGCA had framed new rules that take into account factors such as human fatigue. The rules no not allow a pilot to fly two consecutive nights, and provide for more rest before flights on crossing multiple time zones. These would increase the requirement of pilots and impact schedules, particularly those for trans-Atlantic flights.
Last August the DGCA had introduced the new civil aviation regulation (CAR) to replace the rules in effect since 1992. The new norms were scheduled to come into effect from February 24, but this was postponed to March 24. Air India and Jet Airways are not ready to implement the rules in their current form, and have sought clarifications from the regulator.
A Jet Airways executive said, "We had several meetings with the DGCA on this issue. We asked for clarification on the new policy. We are again meeting next week.” He added the airline had sought time till the end of December to adapt to the new rules, if the regulator decided to stick to the deadline.
11/03/12 Aneesh Phadnis/Business Standard

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Categories: Jet Airways Mar 2012