Delhi HC issues notice to DGCA in plea alleging compromise of flyers’ safety

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in a plea alleging compromise of flyers’ safety by the aviation regulator by allowing fatigued pilots to operate..The petitioner, Advocate Yeshwant Shenoy, alleged that the DGCA has approved ‘variations’ with regard to Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) to several Air Operators in violation of the Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) regarding Air Safety. It was stated that,.“DGCA deliberately and intentionally approved the variations by colluding with air operators as for the operators, commercial profits are more important than human lives.” .It was submitted that India is a signatory to the Chicago Convention, which established the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). It is alleged that India deceives the International community and deliberately violates ICAO norms..It is further stated that the Air Operators in India do not have experts in Aviation Medicine and manage with fresh graduates to deal with various physical issues including fatigue of the pilots..“Most airline doctors do not even recognize fatigue as a reason to grant sick leaves.” .It is also contended that the pilots do not raise their voices against the alleged malpractices, fearing the loss of their livelihood..The petition further stated that the general culture of our country is to prioritize profits over the danger to lives and the judiciary too has unknowingly contributed to this complacency..The Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar sought the response of DGCA as well as the Ministry of Civil Aviation and listed the matter for March 20 next year..Read Petition: