New DGCA rules may hike demand for pilots
13 Apr 2011
New Delhi: India's aviation sector could face shortages of pilots and higher air fares once the country's civil aviation regulator goes ahead with new rules aimed at reducing daily flying hours for pilots. There could be renewed demand for expatriate pilots.
India's civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), recently announced new rules governing duty time for pilots.
According to DGCA director general, EK Bharat Bhushan, his office has sought the opinion of airlines and other stakeholders on the new rules and will also await approval from the civil aviation ministry. The ministry has formed a committee headed by the secretary (aviation), which is expected to soon issue notification in this regard.
Secretary (aviation), SNK Zaidi, did mention at a news conference last week that the new rules were likely to be implemented by June.
Meanwhile, industry experts say that the new rules would force airlines to rethink operational strategies, and that a pilot shortage, resulting from new rules governing pilot duty hours, could lead to flight cancellations and higher fares.
Earlier this month, the aviation regulator issued a circular seeking feedback from airlines on reducing maximum daily flight and duty hours of pilots from 10 to 8 hours, or up to six landings in the domestic sector, and reducing the number of flight hours in the international sector.
