Pilots Expose Airlines: FDTL Rules Not Behind 6000 Flight Cancellations, Safety at Risk

• Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) wrote to Civil Aviation Minister, demanding full FDTL rule implementation and withdrawal of exemptions for IndiGo.
• FIP alleges DGCA granted exemptions to IndiGo and Air India from new FDTL rules (ordered by Delhi High Court) without court permission, compromising safety.
• Exemptions include changes to night duty, increased landings, and relaxed rest periods, leading to pilot fatigue.
• FIP denies FDTL rules caused IndiGo's 6000 flight cancellations, blaming operational/management failures and suspecting a strategy to weaken rules.
• FIP questions DGCA's approval of winter schedules without verifying pilot availability and demands stronger monitoring.

Why It Matters: Pilots accuse airlines of operational failures, not FDTL rules, for cancellations; warn of compromised flight safety.