Air India Implements Comprehensive Drug Testing for Pilots After Safety Incident

Mandatory Drug Testing Initiative by Air India

New Delhi: Starting Thursday, Air India and Air India Express will enforce mandatory testing for psychoactive substances among all their pilots, a move that goes beyond the current regulatory standards. This decision follows an incident where the captain of a flight from Phuket to Delhi tested positive for marijuana after the aircraft unexpectedly lost altitude.

The Tata Group-owned airlines employ over 5,000 pilots, and the new testing protocol will include checks for substances and medications that are banned under existing aviation regulations, as communicated to pilots internally.

Testing will occur during training sessions at Air India's Gurugram academy, after flights at briefing centers, and at designated locations based on pilots' home bases.

While existing regulations mandate random testing of at least 10% of flight crews annually, Air India is opting to screen its entire pilot workforce.

This initiative follows an incident on August 4 involving Air India flight AI2379, an Airbus A320neo, which lost approximately 300 feet in altitude during turbulence while en route from Phuket to Delhi.

The flight had 145 individuals on board, including 137 passengers and eight crew members, with at least 24 injuries reported.

The pilot-in-command, whose identity has not been disclosed, tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory drug test after an initial positive result for a psychoactive substance.

This incident is currently under investigation as aviation authorities and airlines are under increased scrutiny regarding pilot fitness and adherence to regulations concerning psychoactive substances.

In light of this event, Air India is taking steps to enhance safety protocols and reassure its passengers, emphasizing that these checks are compulsory for all pilots.