Rising airspace restrictions on westbound routes are forcing Air India to strengthen its pilot pool for long-haul operations, particularly for its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.
Over the past 11 months, flight paths to Europe and the UK have become significantly longer due to restricted airspace. In response, the airline is deploying additional pilots to support its expanding long-haul network.
Air India has nearly completed the conversion of 28–30 Boeing 777 pilots to the B787 Dreamliner. These pilots are expected to begin operating Dreamliner flights from next month. Additionally, conversion training for around 15 narrow-body pilots to the B787 is set to begin from March 23.
The airline also plans to convert more narrow-body pilots to both the B787 and Airbus A350, especially as more A350 aircraft are expected to join the fleet later this year. At the same time, the number of B777 aircraft is gradually declining as older planes are sent for retrofitting.
Operational challenges have intensified since Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian carriers on April 23, 2025. Flights have since been rerouted over the Arabian Sea, avoiding Karachi airspace. Routes have become even longer due to additional restrictions over Iran, further compounded by the Israel-Iran conflict, pushing flight paths further south of Saudi Arabia.
These extended routes have increased flight durations and added pressure on crew scheduling. According to pilots, the airline has sought exemptions from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regarding Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules. This allows flights of up to 11.5 hours to be operated with just 2 pilots.
“We are completely fatigued now as the buildup has been happening for a year and instead of getting any relief, it keeps getting worse with more punishing FDTL dispensations,” several pilots said.
The situation highlights the growing operational strain on airlines navigating geopolitical disruptions, while also raising concerns around pilot workload and fatigue management.
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