India, March 16 -- The aviation regulator has allowed Air India a temporary relaxation from meeting pilot duty norms owing to the West Asia crisis, allowing the carrier to operate some long-haul flights with two pilots despite longer flying times forced by the choked airspaces over the war-torn region.

The move comes after Air India approached the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on March 12 and sought relief from the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), citing operational constraints triggered by airspace restrictions that have forced aircraft to take longer routes. The relaxation was allowed on March 13.

Flights from India to North America, including services to Toronto, have had to take lengthy diversions due to the closu...