Increased work schedule for pilots, SC notice to DGCA

The Supreme Court on Monday sought the response of the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on a special leave petition filed by pilots challenging the rule of nine-hour flight schedule fixed for them by the ministry. A bench of Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and P Sathasivam sought the response of the DGCA on the SLP filed by the Joint Action Committee of Airlines Pilots Association after the Bombay High Court upheld the rule on 14th August. The impugned rule governed by the 1992 schedule has been imposed by the civil aviation ministry to fix nine hour schedule for the pilots under which they will be each undertaking three landings as against the 2007 schedule of two landings. The ministry had sought to replace the 2007 schedule by reviving the 1992 rule to ensure commercial viability of the airlines, many of which are under the threat of closure due to the rising operational costs. However, the pilots have contended that revival of the 1992 increased schedule was against the international practice as the mandatory three landings would expose the pilots to fatigue, thus compromising the operational safety of the flights, passengers and the crew. The Bombay High Court had rejected the argument of the pilots, following which they have filed the SLP in the apex court.

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