India’s aviation regulator has allowed Air India to temporarily extend the working hours of pilots and change their rest schedules on long flights. This decision comes as the airline deals with the challenges caused by Pakistan’s airspace ban.

According to a Reuters report, this exemption will be in place for two weeks starting April 30. It affects both Airbus and Boeing planes flying to the United States. The decision is a response to the increased flight times and extra costs faced by Indian airlines, particularly Air India, due to having to reroute around Pakistan’s closed airspace. This airspace ban was put in place after the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which raised tensions between India and Pakistan.

The memo states that the new temporary rules will allow pilots to work longer hours. For flights up to 12 hours, the maximum duty time has been increased to 16 hours, up from the previous limit of 14 hours. For flights longer than 14 hours, the duty period is now extended to 24 hours, up from 22 hours. In addition, rest periods during layovers and at-home bases have been increased by 4 and 12 hours, respectively.

What DGCA says

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has not made a public statement about the memo. However, a source informed Reuters that the relaxation is a temporary measure while the authorities work on long-term solutions. The new guidelines have sparked concerns among Air India pilots, with one calling them "extreme" due to the physical toll of long-haul flights. The DGCA is said to be in discussions with airlines to ensure that crew members are not overworked.

Last year, Air India faced criticism from the All India Cabin Crew Association (AICCA) over a new crew accommodation policy, introduced before its merger with Vistara. The policy initially required cabin crew to share rooms during layovers, which the union called "illegal" and asked the labour ministry to intervene. Air India later clarified that crew on long flights, including to North America, would get single-room accommodations during both regular and unscheduled layovers.

At the same time, Air India is facing a big financial loss due to Pakistan's airspace ban. The airline could lose up to $600 million if the ban continues for a year and has asked the government for compensation. As the situation worsens, both Air India and regulators are under pressure to manage flight operations while ensuring the well-being of their crew.