With recent rule changes in Europe (EASA) and India (DGCA), many airlines are now adjusting how they manage crew fatigue risk. In India, these changes will result in significantly higher costs for staffing the same operations.
The focus by regulators has been on limiting the time crew spend flying and working, especially during night, assuming less work means less risk of fatigue. However, important factors like considering individual differences and having a stable roster are still not addressed adequately in regulation and guidance.
To find a better way forward, we should look beyond just the hours of work. It's crucial to combine what we know about science, the shortcomings in our current fatigue models, crew fatigue reporting, along with the complexities of the crew management process. Revisiting our article titled 'Raising the Bar for FRM' could help us rethink and improve how we approach fatigue risk management in the best way. You can read the full article here for deeper insights.