Aviation

Air India to Implement Fatigue Report Verification for Flight Crew

Air India Successfully Completes Its First A350 Flight from Delhi-New York

Air India is set to implement a new internal policy starting October 1, aimed at verifying the authenticity of fatigue reports submitted by its flight crew. Reports deemed “unsubstantiated” will be reclassified as “sick leave.”

This initiative is part of a broader set of measures designed to boost operational efficiencies in preparation for Air India‘s merger with Vistara. While officials promote the policy as a step towards improved operational integrity, it has sparked significant concern among pilots.

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Many feel that this approach could deter them from reporting genuine fatigue, which is crucial for maintaining flight safety. One pilot expressed, “This policy needs to be reconsidered. Rather than questioning whether a pilot is experiencing ‘fatigue’ or is ‘sick,’ the airline should extend trust to its pilots in all areas.”

Another echoed these sentiments, stating, “We may hesitate to report ‘fatigue’ if it risks being classified as ‘sick leave.’” The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) defines fatigue reports as formal documents filed by flight crew members to indicate excessive tiredness that could impair their performance.

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In response to concerns, air india refurbishment clarified that the new Fatigue Protocol is in line with global best practices and is intended as a non-punitive measure. To safeguard crew well-being, the airline plans to utilize scientific tools such as Jeppesen and the Boeing Alertness Model (BAM).

Under the new policy, if a crew member reports fatigue within 12 hours of their scheduled duty, the report will be recorded as “Fatigue,” triggering immediate escalation to scheduling management and flight safety departments. This move aims to prioritize crew welfare while addressing operational demands.

Additionally, recent regulations have increased weekly rest periods for flight crews from 36 to 48 hours, a change pilots have welcomed, though airlines have expressed concerns about the feasibility of meeting these new standards. The DGCA had initially set deadlines for compliance but reversed its decision after airlines raised apprehensions about potential reductions in flight capacity.

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.