Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde faced an unexpected delay on Friday, June 6, 2025, at Jalgaon Airport when his chartered aircraft was unable to take off due to the pilot completing his designated duty hours. As per the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) guidelines, pilots must not exceed a fixed number of working hours to ensure safety and minimize fatigue.
The incident occurred following Shinde’s participation in the religious ‘Palkhi Yatra’ at Muktainagar, a spiritually significant event in the region. After fulfilling his official and ceremonial duties, the Deputy CM was scheduled to return to Mumbai. However, as he arrived at the Jalgaon airport, the pilot refused to operate the return flight, stating that he had reached his maximum permissible working time for the day.
Though such instances are rare in political travel, aviation professionals insist that the rules apply universally. The DGCA’s Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) regulations are non-negotiable, even for VIPs. Aviation experts noted that pilot fatigue is a major safety risk and even the smallest compromise in such situations can have serious consequences.
Left waiting at the airport for more than an hour, Shinde did not raise any objections but quietly coordinated with his team. The situation soon drew the attention of Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, who personally intervened to help arrange alternate travel arrangements.
During the coordination process, Fadnavis encountered a kidney patient who was also seeking urgent transport to Mumbai for a medical procedure. Fadnavis ensured that the patient was accommodated in the newly arranged aircraft, showcasing a moment of compassion and leadership amid an otherwise inconvenient scenario.
The news quickly spread across digital platforms, with many on social media praising the dignified response from both deputy chief ministers. “Rules are rules,” one user commented. “It’s good to see politicians respecting them like everyone else.”
The aviation fraternity welcomed the pilot’s decision, calling it a textbook example of professionalism. “This shows how committed pilots are to safety. The fact that he stuck to his duty limits, despite flying a high-ranking official, is commendable,” said Captain Ramesh Gupta, a retired pilot and aviation consultant.
The episode serves as a rare reminder that safety norms in civil aviation are above politics, power, or position. Even for top government leaders, these norms remain steadfast, safeguarding the lives of everyone on board.