NEW DELHI: In an unprecedented move, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday issued warning letters to over 150 pilots of GoAir and also to the low cost carrier’s head of operations. The regulator had audited GoAir’s flight and duty time limitations (FDTL) to check if it was making its pilots fly for more than the allowed 1,000 hours in a year and if they were being given more than two consecutive night flights in a row.
After finding alleged violations on this serious safety issue directly linked to pilot fatigue, DGCA chief Arun Kumar issued the warnings.
“We have issued warnings to over 150 pilots and the airline’s head of operations. The issues revealed by the audit showed pilots doing more consecutive night than mandated; not availing weekly rest and base mismatch. The warning to the head of operations is on the issue of base mismatch of pilots,” said a senior DGCA official.
