To enhance operational efficiency, Air India (AI) is likely to enforce a new internal policy effective Oct 1, as it prepares for a merger with Vistara, which has triggered concerns among pilots who feel it may discourage them from reporting fatigue.
The policy mandates the verification of fatigue reports submitted by flight crew members with those deemed "unsubstantiated" being reclassified as "sick leave,", according to a media report.
Expressing concerns over the new policy, a pilot was quoted as saying, "This policy needs to be re-considered. Rather than questioning whether a pilot is experiencing 'fatigue' or is 'sick,' the airline should extend trust to its pilots in all areas."
Another pilot reacted, "We may hesitate to report 'fatigue' if it risks being classified as 'sick leave."
The new policy approved by AI’s senior vice president of Safety, Security, and Quality, Henry Donohoe, stipulates that when a pilot or cabin crew member submits a fatigue report through the internal system, it will initially be marked as “Fatigue.”
Following a review by senior executives, reports identified as unsubstantiated will be changed to "Sick."'
Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu recently emphasized the importance of robust stress and fatigue management systems for pilots to ensure flight safety during a seminar organized by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
Under regulations from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), fatigue reports are formal documents filed by flight crew members to indicate excessive tiredness that may compromise their performance.
Air India in a statement recently clarified in response to inquiries that the new Fatigue Protocol aligns with global best practices and is a non-punitive measure. The airline plans to use scientific tools such as Jeppesen and the Boeing Alertness Model (BAM) to safeguard crew well-being.
For instance, if a crew member reports fatigue within 12 hours of their scheduled duty, the report will be noted as "Fatigue," leading to immediate escalation by the day-to-day scheduling management and flight safety departments, according to a media report.
Notably, the DGCA in January issued flight duty time limitation (FDTL) regulations mandating airlines to effectively utilize fatigue reports to identify and mitigate crew fatigue.
Airlines are required to have clear policies regarding the submission and handling of these reports, ensuring a non-punitive approach to fatigue management.
