In a tragic incident, an Air India Express pilot died of a cardiac arrest shortly after landing a flight from Srinagar to New Delhi on April 9. The incident unfolded at Indira Gandhi International Airport, where the pilot reportedly vomited in the cockpit and later collapsed at the airline’s dispatch office.
The pilot, identified as Armaan, was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival, according to a report by The Hindu.
A spokesperson for Air India Express expressed deep sorrow over the loss, stating, “We deeply regret the loss of a valued colleague due to a medical condition. Our thoughts are with the family during this time of profound grief. We are extending all possible assistance to them as we cope with this tremendous loss. We request privacy and urge against unnecessary speculation as we support the authorities in their procedures.”
The unfortunate incident brings renewed attention to the ongoing debate over pilot fatigue and the need for stricter rest norms. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has postponed the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules, originally set for June last year. The revised rules proposed increasing weekly rest hours from 36 to 48 and reducing maximum night flying hours from 13 to 10.
Airlines, citing the necessity to recruit 20–25% more pilots for compliance, sought a delay of 8–10 months. Despite initially sticking to the timeline, the DGCA has temporarily allowed airlines to adhere to 2019 rules until new plans are evaluated.
