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Jaipur: In a bizarre incident at Jaipur International Airport in India, 116 passengers were left stranded due to an unexpected delay as pilots of 10 different flights refused to continue their respective journeys. This refusal was not an act of rebellion, but a firm adherence to the Flight Time Delay Limit (FTDL) rule, a set of guidelines established by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to protect the well-being and efficiency of flight crew. Ensuring adequate rest and avoiding fatigue.
The affected flights, which included two flights of IndiGo, five of Air India, one of Vistara and two of Alliance Air, were initially diverted to Jaipur due to adverse weather conditions. Dense fog made it impossible to reach the original destination, leading to an unplanned diversion. However, after the diversion, only two aircraft were successful in heading towards their intended destination, leaving most of the passengers in a state of confusion.
The pilots’ refusal to continue the journey was not an arbitrary decision but a direct result of the FTDL rule. According to this rule, crew members are not allowed to work more than eight hours a day, 35 hours a week, 125 hours a month or 1000 hours a year. This tight regulation is important to ensure that fatigue does not compromise safety and efficiency in the high-risk environment of aviation.
The pilots took this step after completing their duty hours. All these flights had been diverted to Jaipur due to dense fog. Among these 10 flights, two were from IndiGo, five from Air India, one from Vistara and two from Alliance Air.
1,600 passengers trapped at Jaipur airport
The situation occurred as dense fog prevailed in the national capital Delhi on Thursday night, causing poor visibility and hurdles for flights to land in Delhi. Consequently, the flights were diverted to Jaipur. Upon landing in Jaipur, the pilots, in adherence to their duty hours, left the aircraft during the night. Presently, 8 of the planes remain grounded at Jaipur airport. The incident led to inconvenience for approximately 1,600 passengers.
Despite the temporary inconvenience it may cause to passengers, the incident highlights the importance of strong safety regulations in the aviation industry. Adherence to FTDL rules by pilots, even in the face of potential backlash, merely emphasizes the priority given to safety over schedule adherence. It serves as a powerful reminder of the human element in aviation and the vital role of rest and fatigue management in maintaining the highest standards of safety.
