Indigo Airlines to introduce new to technology to detect fatigue among pilots

PUNE: Indigo, a rapidly expanding airline on a global scale, is currently in the process of introducing a wrist device designed to detect the alertness and fatigue levels of pilots both before and after flights.

In a press release, the airline announced its partnership with the French aerospace conglomerate Thales Group, as an early adopter of their Fatigue Analysis Tool. Over the next few months, the airline will conduct a proof-of-concept trial for its technology-driven interface, which aims to assess pilot alertness levels.

The initiative is intended to develop a fatigue detection model that offers detailed insights into demographic data, including routes, pairings, crew profiles, and more, going beyond traditional scheduling-focused biomathematical models. The program will use real-time data, historical information, and predictive analytics, with all data collected being de-identified.

The airline remains committed to its pilots’ well-being, ensuring their health and mental well-being, ultimately enhancing passenger safety. In an internal communication to pilots, the airline informed them that over the past year, they have engaged with global organizations focused on areas such as sleep science and the impact of duty schedules for pilots.

The airline is currently in the process of bringing on board a reputable external consultant to enhance their fatigue risk management processes. This strategic step will facilitate a performance-based approach and enable the airline to develop tailored fatigue mitigation strategies based on their unique operational and organizational characteristics and the specific nature of their fatigue risks. The internal communication also revealed that the airline has been in partnership with a consultant for their Fatigue Analysis Tool for the past few years.

Madhupriya Dhanwate