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The industry body representing the country’s airlines has informed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) that its proposed rest and duty norms for cabin crew will “reduce the productivity” of staff, limit the growth of airlines and harm their competitiveness in the global market.
In a letter dated February 12, 2026, a copy of which was reviewed by The Hindu, the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) opposed several provisions proposed by the DGCA in the November notification on rest and working hours of flight attendants. FIA represents various airlines in the country including IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet and Akasa,
The FIA objected to the proposed stricter standards for night flights, which extend the definition of night service from midnight–5:00 a.m. to midnight–6:00 a.m., thereby expanding the associated relief measures, including a limit of two landings during night operations. The changes will also align rest and duty standards for flight attendants with those in place for pilots from last year, including increasing weekly rest from 36 hours to 48 hours.
The FIA argues that such restrictions on night services do not take into account the fact that the level of fatigue varies depending on the nature and duration of different flights.
A key demand from flight attendants that their weekly leave be scheduled at their home base to spend time with their families was also rejected. Airlines have similarly resisted calls for single-room accommodation during stopovers instead of the existing practice of shared hotel rooms.
The FIA’s letter states that recovery from fatigue is governed by adequate rest opportunities and body clock adaptation “rather than the physical location of rest”, and therefore the DGCA’s proposal for a week’s rest at home base has no effect on alleviating fatigue.
Regarding the provision of single rooms, the letter states that such a provision “creates practical limitations at several domestic and international stations due to limited hotel inventory,” adding that sharing twins allows for “quicker assistance during medical events, emergencies, personal safety situations.”
The airline industry’s latest position on cabin crew standards comes on the heels of a two-year dispute with pilots over similar regulations for them. Although the Delhi High Court last year ordered that the rules be implemented in a phased manner and airlines have started complying with them, carriers continue to oppose the framework and lobby for a revision.
The All India Cabin Crew Association filed a writ petition in 2018 demanding a change in its rest and duty norms to make them more scientific and at par with pilots.
Published – 12 Feb 2026 22:34 IST