Air India has ordered mandatory substance-abuse screening for all its pilots from Thursday, August 13, days after the pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight that suddenly lost altitude tested positive for marijuana. The airline said the move goes beyond existing Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) requirements and is aimed at strengthening safety and passenger confidence.
Why Has Air India Ordered Drug Tests For All Pilots?
The decision comes after Air India flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi dropped around 300 feet during cruise on August 4, injuring 24 people, including four crew members.
Air India initially attributed the incident to turbulence. However, the pilot-in-command later tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory drug test.
How Will Air India Conduct The Pilot Screening?
In an email to employees, the Tata Group-owned airline said all Group pilots will undergo mandatory screening for substances or medications prohibited under prevailing regulations. The testing will begin on August 13 and will be conducted alongside training at the Gurugram Academy, after flights at Flight Briefing Centres and Air India offices, or at locations designated by individual pilot bases.
What Did Air India Say About The New Safety Measures?
Air India said it already complies with all regulatory requirements prescribed by the DGCA, which it said are broadly similar to practices followed in other major aviation jurisdictions. However, the airline said it had decided to go further to uphold safety and professionalism and reassure passengers and other stakeholders. The airline said the trust built by its pilots and other employees over the years is its most important asset and that it is taking additional steps to protect that trust.
