Call me crazy. Call me paranoid or just call me a downright conspiracy theorist but the fact we can now do increased duty times from reports checking in before 06:00 local wouldn't be anything at all to do with the fact that many low cost airlines have schedules with rotations leaving at that kind of time in the morning, would it? Would it?!?
Rex -no its because Sub Part Q has allowed this for many years primarily because in states such as Germany they need to depart early to squeeze in rotations and get back for the night jet ban. EASA limits are pretty much like SPQ for 0500-0800 then becomes a lot like CAP371 up the afternoon when it becomes more limiting in some cases, then back to CAP371 limits at night.