Redrawing the flight path

IndiGo crisis calls for greater focus on HR management

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Mass flight cancellations by IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, on account of new pilot-roster norms, have shone an unwelcome spotlight on human-resource management, which lies at the heart of efficient and safe operations in the industry.

Although the airline has apologised for the nationwide disruption, the patent absence of planning demands a fuller response. All Indian airlines have had ample time to prepare for these new rules. The rules were initially notified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in January last year for introduction in June last year but were deferred following requests by airlines for time to prepare. Instead, the DGCA permitted the rules to be introduced in two phases — in July and then November this year. That means airlines had over a year to prepare for the new rostering rules.