IndiGo to Use Smartwatches to Check Fatigue Amongst Pilots, Reveals Memo

India’s largest airline IndiGo needs to check fatigue amongst its pilots utilizing smartwatches and plans to nominate a marketing consultant to enhance its fatigue threat administration processes, in line with an inside memo seen by Reuters.

Pilots can volunteer for trials that may use a fatigue administration software from Thales, and the information collected will probably be analysed anonymously, mentioned the memo despatched to all pilots by Ashim Mittra, head of IndiGo’s flight operations division.

“IndiGo will test Thales’ fatigue management tool to assess pilot alertness levels over the next few months. Once completed, we will collectively evaluate the efficacy and accuracy of the data,” Mittra mentioned within the memo despatched this week, and reviewed by Reuters on Thursday.

IndiGo didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark. 

The transfer comes days after an IndiGo pilot collapsed and died earlier than his flight, an incident that sparked complaints from some Indian pilots that they’re being stretched to the brink by airways, despite the fact that they adjust to obligation time rules.

Getting a marketing consultant on board at IndiGo will play a significant position in implementing a sturdy fatigue threat administration system within the coming months, Mittra mentioned within the memo, including it will additionally allow the airline to develop tailor-made fatigue mitigation methods.

India’s aviation regulator is conducting a overview of pilot fatigue information it has collected throughout spot checks and surveillance of airways to see if rules associated to flight obligation instances or fatigue have to be modified. 

According to the memo, the trial will probably be on particular flight patterns utilizing on-ground gadgets at 4 airports together with Delhi and Mumbai, and voluntary use of smartwatches and cameras that may detect drowsiness degree on every route and plane. 

IndiGo has been working with Thales on its software which makes use of real-time information, historic data and predictive evaluation and goes past the normal scheduling strategies, it mentioned. 

“The trial does not replace the airline’s existing fatigue risk management process. Pilots must continue to report fatigue based on self-assessment,” Mittra mentioned.

© Thomson Reuters 2023