Pilot Fatigue Rules: A Global Challenge

Canada is taking a closer look at its rules for pilot rest times. The reason? Industry players say the current rules are too complicated and hard to follow. This isn't just a Canadian issue. Other countries, like India, are also struggling to balance safety and practicality. In India, the biggest airline, IndiGo, had to cancel over 2, 000 flights this month. Why? Poor planning and new rules about night duty for pilots. The Indian regulator gave IndiGo a one-time break from these rules to help them recover. Back in Canada, the transport regulator has been talking to pilots and airlines. They want to make sure the rules work for everyone. But some pilots are worried. They say the proposed changes could mean working up to 23 days in a row without a day off. That's a big concern for safety. Rules like these exist to keep pilots and passengers safe. They limit how many hours pilots can fly and work in a day. In Canada, the rules changed in 2018. They reduced the maximum flight hours per year and set a workday limit between nine to 13 hours. But rules like these can be controversial. In the U. S. , similar rules faced opposition in 2011. Industry groups argued they would cost billions and cut jobs. So, what's the solution? It's a tough balance. Rules need to keep everyone safe, but they also need to be practical for airlines to follow.