DGCA fresh norms for cabin crew; max duty period fixed at 22 hrs

Aviation watchdog DGCA has come out with a set of norms for flight duty time and rest hours of cabin crew members, fixing a maximum duty period of up to 22 hours in long-haul flights.

The new norms, which came after a directive from the Delhi High Court, have said that in case of unforeseen operational circumstances, the flight time can be extended to a maximum of one-and-a-half hours and the duty period to four hours.

The senior cabin crew in consultation with all the cabin crew members will convey their willingness to the 'pilot in command' for operating the flight. Only one extra landing may be carried out in the event of a diversion to complete the flight.

The stipulations would come into force from November 1 this year.

The unforeseen operational circumstances would include an "unplanned event, such as unforeseen weather, natural calamity, medical emergency, national requirement for relief and rescue operations (mission oriented), equipment malfunction, runway closure, passenger and aircraft recovery, etc. that is beyond the control of the operator," the norms spelt out.

They make it cleat that an airline shall not require a cabin crew member to perform duties on a flight if it is known or suspected that the cabin crew member is fatigued to the extent that the safety of flight may be adversely affected.